NSW pedestrian death toll spikes in 2020

Almost triple the number of pedestrians have been killed on NSW's roads this year compared with the same period last year, new figures show.

Drivers and pedestrians are being urged to be more vigilant, with a new pedestrian compliance operation by NSW Police from Monday highlighting the need for greater awareness by all road users.

The NSW pedestrian road toll sits at 16 for 2020 compared with six deaths for the same period last year.

Chief Inspector Phillip Brooks says 56 pedestrians lost their lives in the past 12 months.

"This is a plea for all pedestrians, drivers, riders and cyclists alike to share the road safely," Chief Insp Brooks said on Monday.

Distraction is one of the major causes of pedestrian deaths in metropolitan areas, he said.

"Those that are looking down at their phones, that are distracted with music in their ears, they're the ones that are at greatest risk."

Chief Insp Brooks said the introduction of the eastern suburbs light rail had increased the need for pedestrians to be alert when crossing the tracks.

"We want pedestrians to make sure they're crossing at designated traffic control points rather than darting across the road quickly, putting themselves and those people coming down the road also at great risk."