This morning, as part of the National Department of Transport’s “365-Days Road Safety Program”, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Robin Carlisle, and National Deputy Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, were at Kayamandi and Cloetesville to engage with the local community on pedestrian safety. The focus was on school children, and the very serious concerns relating to their visibility and safety when crossing busy intersections and railway lines.

“The road separating Kayamandi and Cloetesville is a very busy intersection that children, in particular, have to cross to get to Cloetesville Primary and High School on the other side. The pedestrian crossing in that area is seldom used and lacks the appropriate signage alerting drivers to the crossing. Together with the municipal authorities, we will look closer it into better ways of conveying people across this busy road,” said Minister Carlisle.

The Cape Winelands Municipality is the second leading Municipality in the Western Cape in road deaths, after the City of Cape Town Metro. Fatality statistics for 2013 (up to end of June 2013) show 100 people having already lost their lives on Cape Winelands’ roads (46 passengers and 37 pedestrians). 

Cape Winelands:

“Deputy Minister Chikunga and I both agree that it is only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured on this busy intersection. We will continue to work together, with all spheres of government and communities in the province, to explore ways in which we can make our roads safer, and encourage citizens to make the choices that save lives when using our roads,” added Minister Carlisle.

Photograph attached courtesy of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.