2025 saw the introduction of Be Road Safe Africa by Amend. An international organisation raising awareness of road safety in Africa.
Drive More Safely NPO was asked to do the Program in Mpumalanga. Three schools were chosen in the Mbombela area. The program was a huge success with the pedestrian safety program and the drawing competition. A component of this program was Kids' Court.
Drive More Safely NPO soon realised that this minor component of the program was such an important component and with the blessing of Amend, adapted it to our South African conditions and launching it during 2026 and 2027 in 5000 South African primary schools throughout the country.
So what is Kids' Court SA.?
A road safety educational tool where 8 learners are chosen by the school from grade 5, 6 and 7. These eight learners then go through a training process to educate them on certain traffic offences that often happen around schools and endanger the lives of our learners.
We form a partnership with provincial and local traffic departments, who then assist with the program. Once these eight learners are competent, the traffic officials will have a road block outside the school and offenders of the following offenses will then be brought to Kids' Court within the school premises.
The offenses:
1. Use of a cellphone whilst driving
2. Not wearing a seat belt
3. Having a child not safely restrained
4. Driving over the speed of 30kmph around the school.
The "Judges" have a set of questions that was developed from the NRTA that the offender is asked. A traffic officer is present the whole time
After the "Judges" are satisfied that the offender has remorse for his/her wrongdoing, a pledge is signed, and the offender is asked to read the pledge. These pledges are filed for reference and data.
The offender is asked if he/she would like to take a photo with the court. The judges then wish him /her well, reminding them to drive safely.
So why this court that has no legal powers?
If we want to make a difference in our fatalities and crashes on our roads, we need to lay a strong foundation
.
The objective of Kids' Court is:
*To bring a partnership between law enforcement and the school
*To raise awareness on safety issues around schools
*To educate our road users using our fully competent Kids' Court Judges
*To ensure that safety around school is always a priority.
Drive More Safely NPO and Kids' Court SA invites you to become part of this great, powerful tool to save lives around our schools. If you want to partner up in your town, please contact us.
Alida Venter
Program manager
Cell 061 428 5231
Email [email protected]
Website www.drivemoresafely.co.za