Western Cape’s Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) and Matzikama Municipality has implemented a project to improve child pedestrian safety.

The “Paint a Pedestrian Crossing” project involves a number of primary and pre-primary schools in Vredendal and Lutzville. It forms part of October Transport Month and is aimed at creating safer, more walkable communities in the Upper West Coast region.

“We are hoping that improvements to road markings at these designated crossings will encourage more people to use them,” said West Coast DTPW Road Safety Officer Lizel Plaatjies. “Improved infrastructure will also support road safety education and awareness activities at these schools. This will go a long way to contributing to child pedestrian safety.”

The DTPW is also encouraging people to model good pedestrian behaviour for children so that they learn good road habits.