Victorian pedestrians jaywalking while using mobile phones to be targeted by police  -  ABCNews - Wed 20 Jan 2016

A Victoria Police officer speaks to a pedestrian after they were seen crossing the street illegally in Melbourne.

Victorian road authorities are broadening their campaign against drivers using mobile phones to include pedestrians.

About 200 pedestrians have died across the state over the past five years, according to the Traffic Accident Commission (TAC).

Almost three-quarters of those fatalities were in Melbourne.

The TAC's, Joe Calafiore, said mobile phones and iPods were just as distracting when walking as driving.

"Distractions can actually lead to disaster and distractions can have tragic consequences," he said.

"We just know if we just think a little bit, take a little bit of extra time, we can make vast improvements in these fatality numbers."

Pedestrians caught walking against the signal — or jaywalking — face fines of $76.

A woman walks across a street in Melbourne while using her mobile phone.

Victoria Police Inspector for Road Policing, Jason McGregor, said police would rather educate pedestrians doing the wrong thing than fine them.

"We'd prefer not to give the penalty notices out and just speak to the pedestrian and educate them about doing the right thing," he said.

"But ultimately it's up to the individual to take some responsibility for their own actions and walk within the rules."

Bill Hodges, who was hit by a tram at St Kilda Junction in April 2006, said the consequences of doing the wrong thing were much worse for him than copping a fine.

"I've had a broken back, broken neck, broken ribs, my thumb's been amputated," he said.

"I've got part of my bowel removed, and obviously my legs are damaged.

"I walk with crutches now, and I'll walk with them for the rest of my life.

"If you get in a tangle with one of these vehicles, you'll come off second best, and the consequences will be either death or very serious injury.

"It almost took me out ... [the] people who treated me at the Alfred Hospital are staggered that I'm still here."

Mr Hodges now volunteers with a road trauma support service, to prevent others suffering the same fate.