Hi-vis vests for pedestrians, reduced speed limits proposed in Tasmania

"If pedestrians choose to wear hi-vis vests, we certainly wouldn't oppose it, however, we don't propose to fund them or force them to," Mr Ferguson said in response to independent Windermere MLC Ivan Dean's suggestion the government pay for hi-vis vests to reduce the amount of pedestrians injured in crashes.

Government data recently showed the number of crashes which involved pedestrians in Tasmania had consistently surpassed the number of crashes which involved cyclists.

Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby said to improve safety, the government should slash speed limits to 30 kilometres per hour in areas heavily frequented by pedestrians.

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Mr Scruby also criticised the use of pedestrian refuges and suggested there were not enough pedestrian crossings in Tasmania.

"A pedestrian refuge is what the engineers like to call a 'more cars, faster device' because motorists don't have to give way to a pedestrian at a refuge, but they do at crossings," Mr Scruby said.

"There's nothing safe about a refuge, it's something these people think are going to make it safer for pedestrians. They don't."

Road Safety Advisory Council chair Garry Bailey disputed Mr Scruby's claim and said "work by Austroads...found pedestrian refuge islands are associated with around a 45 per cent reduction in pedestrian crashes".

Mr Bailey said the Safe System approach to road safety, which the National Road Safety Strategy was based on, indicated "speed limits should be set at about 30km/h where there is a high level of interaction between pedestrians and motor vehicles".

Mr Ferguson said crossings and refuges were installed where appropriate.

"Speed limits are independently set by the Transport Commissioner based on location and the best information and advice - these are adjusted where appropriate," Mr Ferguson said.