A big rise in the number of pedestrians being killed in NSW has prompted calls for warnings to be printed on mobile phones and iPods.

Thirty-eight pedestrians died on NSW roads in the first six months of 2012 compared with 21 deaths over the same period in 2011, according to state government figures published on Monday.

Senior officers are worried about the increase and have urged people not to use phones, iPods and other gadgets while crossing the road.

''These devices pose a significant safety risk as they distract pedestrians from what's going on around them,'' Traffic and Highway Patrol Acting Commander Stuart Smith said.

Australian Pedestrian Council chairman Harold Scruby wants electronics makers to print warning messages on their devices.

''We all know that smoking causes death and we've still got big warnings on the packs,'' Mr Scruby said.

''Why doesn't Apple and Sony and everyone else involved in this simply put on their devices 'Do not use while crossing the road'?'' AAP