Last week I attended a two-day Road Safety Indaba organized by the Road Traffic Management Corporation in Johannesburg which specifically focused on pedestrian safety, the youth and speed reduction initiatives.

The Indaba aimed at formulating immediate or short- to medium term interventions that would positively contribute to the objectives of reducing road fatalities.

Amongst the key issues discussed was the high number of pedestrian killings, especially child pedestrians, which is a serious concern across all provinces.

The highest number of people killed on Western Cape roads in the week 3 to 9 October 2022, is once again pedestrians, with child pedestrians contributing 75% to all child road deaths.

We cannot keep talking about these shocking statistics. As government and as road users we must all do our part to tackle this serious issue and prevent pedestrian killings. Protecting child pedestrians depends on drivers being able to see them. Educating children about road safety can help save lives.

Make sure that your children are visible whenever they walk near roads. They should wear light-coloured clothing, or reflective clothing, and should not be near roads at night or when visibility is poor.

If you are not walking, but driving, start by buckling up. Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all passengers are buckled up. Adults are responsible for buckling up themselves and children. All small children must be secured in an age-appropriate harness. In a crash, a child who is not secured in an age-appropriate harness becomes a projectile inside the vehicle that can crash into hard surfaces and into other people inside the vehicle, possibly leading to serious injuries and death. In a crash, a child who is not secured in an age-appropriate harness is more likely to be ejected from the vehicle and die or be seriously injured. A serious injury can be life-changing – it may leave a child with a temporary or permanent disability.

Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 239 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province in the week under review, and 30 953 vehicles were stopped and checked.

A total of 8 533 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness. A total of 244 speeding offences were recorded. Speeding is a serious concern. The faster you drive, the less time you have to respond to an emergency and the more space you need to stop to avoid a crash. Speeding is irresponsible and dangerous. The highest speeds recorded this week were as follows:

• 167 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
• 134 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
• 124 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
• 99 km/h in a 60 km/h zone

Thirty-eight vehicles were impounded and 99 were discontinued due to unroadworthiness.

A total of 78 arrests were made under the National Road Traffic Act and Criminal Procedure Act for the following offences:

• 58 x driving under the influence of alcohol.
• 1 x speeding.
• 10 x reckless and negligent driving.
• 2 x goods overloading.
• 2 x possession of fraudulent documentation.
• 2 x bribery.
• 1 x operating an unroadworthy vehicle.
• 1 x failing to furnish information.
• 1 x failing to comply with a lawful order from an authorised officer.

Fatalities recorded between 3 and 9 October 2022

A total of 22 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 25 fatalities were recorded:

• 5 x drivers.
• 1 x motorcyclist.
• 9 x passengers.
• 10 x pedestrians.

#SaveKidsLives #BuckleUp #SeatbeltsSaveLives.

Media Queries:           

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka

Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell

Cell: 082 953 0026

Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za