I think its a combination of stupid pedestrians, and impatient over-confident bus drivers.

I drive alot in the wellington CBD, it comes with the job. I see a few stupid people, most are well behaved, same goes with the cars on the road... with the exception of certian taxi's. But when i'm repeatedly sitting at the lights next to a bus, and the white "B" lights up, it's like i'm at Meri meri on the drag strip. ALL bus drivers i have seen plant boot when they drive away from lights and bus stops. most of the time, buses are driving faster than any other traffic (including couriers!!!) on the road. Just last thursday i was outside reading cinema, an elderly pedestrian had almost got to the footpath, "B" lit up and away went the bus, nearly hitting the pedestrian. Even cars wait for the last stragglers cross safely.

I suggest we slow the CBD buses down to 20Km/h in tight places and 30km/h everywhere else. sometimes i'm driving down willis street or courtnay place at 50km/h, yet a buss is pulling away. We need patience, not patients.

alternatively, we need air cusions strapped to the front of the buses. just 30mm thick, just enough to help absorb the impact. Add a sensor which applies the brakes or sounds an alarm when something hits the cusion. If the buses are going at the correct speed, then perhaps thats the temporary fix needed.

natural selection at work. I feel for the bus drivers. Must be awful to have so many people jump out in front, then one day someone doesn't make it. Surprised their nerves are not shot.

Buses 10 Pedestrians 0 Tourists 0

Go buses!

Here I was thinking Wellingtonians were stupid getting hit by busses... turns out Wellington just makes people stupid.

I would guess due to all the accidents being bus v ped, that its either in manners mall (bus only) or the green bus only lanes on the other roads. Car drivers drive VERY conservatively through wellington CBD as they should however buses in the 'green zones' drive as fast as possible to meet their schedules. This is why you wont see much issues with cars, those roads are usually slow consistant flow, bus lanes you wont see much traffic...but when it does come it comes fast and hard.

Im a proud wellington j-walker, we just have very small roads so you can be across both lanes in 3-4s if your quick on your feat. However i do look both ways....twice and again whilst crossing because i prefer not to be a bumper ornament.

Greg #24 You have taken the council hype line baited and barbed as it is unless you were brought up somewhere other than NZ where different rules apply. In NZ you look right first. These council safety officers so concerned with public safety have told Wellington to look left first. What is over the road is not the first thing that would kill you.

When I moved here from the South Island many years back I was amazed at pedestrian behavior in Wellington with pedestrians crossing virtually anywhere anytime. Indeed Wellington streets seemed to be a land based training ground for kamikaze pilots. I was taught to stop, look and listen before crossing the road. This does not seem to apply in Wellington.

Life 101: Look both ways before crossing the street.

If you can't do that, you fail at life.

@Dave #22. This article refers to a person getting knocked over on Lambton Quay..so have no idea what this has to do wtih Manners Mall - either or any place where one crosses a road...REAL simple rules apply..you know, that stuff we were taught as kids? Dave, you sound like a perrenial council basher...bash on buddy, the council is not knocking people over..it's inaatentive people are doing it to themselves. Perspective mate, perspective