Cape Town -Pedestrian road deaths in the city are nearly double the national average, says the Automobile Association.
Pedestrians comprise more than one-third of South Africa’s road deaths, but this is amplified in the Western Cape, with pedestrians constituting 44 percent of the province’s deaths, and 57 percent of Cape Town’s fatalities, according to the Western Cape Government’s Safely Home campaign.
Between January and April, road crashes claimed the lives of 465 people in the Western Cape - and 44 percent of those fatalities were pedestrians. These statistics led the AA to release a report and set of safety tips for motorists and pedestrians.
While it is illegal to walk on public highways, many South Africans cannot drive or afford public transportation, so they walk. The AA said pedestrians needed to be more aware of their surroundings and actions.
“To often we find pedestrians don’t understand the dangers they pose to themselves, and other road users, by running across busy highways and roads, and by not being visible enough to motorists. Road safety needs to begin at a young age, and it needs to include education on how to be a safer pedestrian,” the AA said.
The association also called on the government to enforce laws against walking or conducting business along busy roads, as this would lessen the risk for everybody.
Also read: Sticky car bonnets to save pedestrians?
For drivers, the AA recommended they be vigilant in highly-populated areas and around schools, as children often did not think about traffic.
Motorists should also be careful around buses or taxis, as passengers could be getting in or out.
For pedestrians, the AA asked they wear bright or reflective clothing, not run across highways or busy roads, and avoid the use of electronic devices and drugs or alcohol when walking, as they lowered one’s attention to surroundings.
“It’s plain and simple, pedestrians need to stay away from freeways and rather make use of bridges,” said Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa.
He added pedestrians should walk on the right side of the road facing oncoming traffic if there were no pavements, reporting that three people were killed on the Western Cape roads at the weekend, including two children in Villiersdorp and a pedestrian on the N2 near Somerset West. One drunk pedestrian was also arrested in Vredenburg.
Cape Argus
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