As part of this November’s #WalkSafe initiative, the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) has launched a bus advertising campaign in English and isiXhosa aimed at improving pedestrian safety at high-risk places, especially in the township areas of the Cape Metropolitan Area. Through this campaign, DTPW is appealing to motorists to be on the lookout for children, and to slow down.
The advertisement will run on six Golden Arrow buses until the end of December 2018 in Khayelitsha and surrounding areas. Khayelitsha is an area where there are few parks and safe playing areas for children. The area is densely developed and many houses and informal structures go right up to the edge of the road. In many parts of Khayelitsha, there are no pavements and children often play in the streets, increasing the risk of being hit by vehicles.
A large portion of pedestrians killed are children. They are more likely to die of head and chest injuries because of their height. Research shows that a child is likely to die if struck by a car traveling at a speed of 60 km/h or more. The good news is that we can make the roads safer for children simply by setting a good example of safe pedestrian behaviour, at all times, wherever you are, whether you are a parent or not. Children copy good and bad behaviour. If you practise unsafe road behaviour like jaywalking or walking on freeways, children will see it, and may follow your example. Keep yourself safe and show good pedestrian behaviour so that children learn good road habits.
If you have children who must use the roads frequently, for example to walk to school, ensure they know the rules of the road, particularly when it comes to crossing the street. With your help, we can reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths among children. If you are a motorist, slow down to reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian, and to reduce the impact of any crash.
With your help, we can effectively reduce the risk of pedestrian injuries and death among children.
Join Safely Home on Twitter @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtags #WalkSafe and #SafeRoadsForAll