The case of the twins in the stroller caught up on the zebra crossing the other day in Palermo , was very impressed. The super-Grillo's blog has spoken and his calls are good for road safety, given the high number of hits on your site.
Most of the comments I've read with a second fermentation in the case, they were all focused on drivers' behavior: it is the so-called "human factor" which according to many can be traced most of the traffic accidents.

Obviously, the behavior is the basis of everything, but any behavior on the road can be "accompanied", induced, prevented, stimulated, how it is designed a pedestrian crossing by signs present (or absent), the legislation in force (technical and behavior).

Here then is a series of recommendations for administrators and managers for safer pedestrian crossings, maturali experience in project and EPCA .

1. The mobility of pedestrians should always be subject to specific planning and design activities aimed at identifying solutions that meet the needs of pedestrian safety, taking into account all the interactions with other components of mobility (and non-motorized).

2. The visibility of pedestrian crossings should be one of the most important design criteria. In this respect, pedestrian crossings should be designed to avoid the presence of visual barriers to pedestrians and drivers each other. In particular, should be encouraged to use sidewalks advanced than parking spaces.

3. The introduction of the stop before the crossing lines at a distance of 6-15 meters, not only leads to the arrest of the vehicle near the crossings, but also improves the visibility between pedestrians and approaching vehicles on all lanes .

4. Intersections, avoid design solutions which limit the mutual visibility between pedestrians and vehicles in place, freeing themselves from the edges of obstacles.

5. In situations at increased risk for pedestrians, should be evaluated the possibility of introducing islands jacket, to protect pedestrians crossing.

6. Promote the use of high-performance marking reflectivity. The introduction of additional measures to improve visibility especially at night should be encouraged: flashing lights, light elements of street furniture, floor lamps , traffic lights at the portal, etc.. can make a difference in terms of safety.

7. The maintenance of pedestrian crossings should be done with care and systematic, ensuring excellent levels of performance ever. In particular, the approach to road pavement crossings should be maintained to ensure more optimal levels of adherence (rough flooring materials are preferable to low-grip for better performance under heavy braking).

8. The crossings should be of real "safety review", in order to identify timely interventions to be implemented for the safety of themselves.

9. Over the traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, the individual steps must be sized so as to guarantee a safe crossing for pedestrians. In cases of non-exclusive pedestrian phases, the introduction of special additional flashing lights can be used to warn drivers of the simultaneous presence of pedestrians in the crossing.

10. The accessibility is guaranteed even at pedestrian crossings to wheelchair users: it is necessary to provide access solutions to the brim, or ramps with slopes that never exceeded 8%.

11. For users hypo / blind, the introduction of tactile paving, audible or tactile devices at traffic lights and a space separate from the access ramps (normal step or sidewalk) greatly enhances security. For these users, the widespread practice of introducing very low levels of metal poles as deterrents of vehicle stops, is to be considered dangerous and therefore not recommended.

12. The introduction of additional markings to indicate the origin of traffic (such as "look right") is believed to be a great help (and not only) for the hearing impaired.

13. Particular attention should be paid to the management of conflicts with other components of the road, especially with that bike and tram, avoiding potentially dangerous solutions even in situations of pedestrians waiting to cross (trams too close to the sidewalk, bicycle lanes in conflict with ramps for the disabled).

14. Some technological solutions are able to prevent accidents between vehicles and pedestrians. And 'desirable increasing use of such devices (eg, sensors that can detect pedestrians in the approach and visually alert drivers coming soon). Most traffic lights should be equipped with pedestrian countdown devices, leaving the decision to the awareness of pedestrians on the opening of crossing or not, depending upon their physical condition (gait speed). The introduction of traffic lights with LED technology should therefore be encouraged as much as possible in all European countries, since it showed better performance especially with regard to visibility at night.

More information here or, in English, at this address

If you want to see some videos that give an idea of how you can design safer crossings, go to this YouTube channel