The Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) in the Western Cape is raising awareness of vulnerable road users following a number of pedestrian deaths.
Provincial Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela said there had been a 23 percent reduction in road traffic fatalities during the festive season but raised concerns about pedestrian safety.
“I am seriously concerned about the high number of pedestrians who are dying on our roads,” he said.
“In total, 74 pedestrians were killed on our roads between 1 December 2019 and 15 January 2020. Provincial Traffic Services arrested 19 drunk pedestrians.”
DTPW is offering the following road safety advice:
- Motorists should slow down near children, especially in areas where there are no pavements and be patient with older people who may walk more slowly than other pedestrians.
- Pedestrians should not drink and walk or cross a road while wearing headphones or earphones.
- Cyclists are reminded to stick to the rules of the road including riding in single file.
- Motorcyclists are urged to observe the speed limit and not to drink and drive.
- Motorists should look out for cyclists and motorcyclists and give them a wide berth when passing.
DTPW also has a number of road safety initiatives including targeting children through scholar patrols, holding interactive road safety talks, junior traffic training centres (JTTCs) and ‘walking buses’.
JTTCs are small-scale simulated road environments on school grounds where children can learn about road safety. Walking buses are groups of children walking to school under the supervision of a teacher.
