Pedestrian Safety in the Central Business Districts

What forced me to write this blog is a simple question- it however remains unanswered.


HOW safe are our pedestrians when crossing the roads in the BIG CBD’s particularly with a culture of recklessness and impatience of all our drivers.

I had on numerous occasions observed this behaviour especially during the times of ESKOM load shedding or at intersections where robots are out due to either mechanical or electrical faults. This is when you will see that in particular taxi drivers show no regard for pedestrians, which in actual fact could be their potential customers. On numerous occasions I had to use my form of transport as a shield giving pedestrians right of way ensuring them to cross unmanned robots safely.

We understand that cars must cross and all of us want to reach our destinations safely, but due to impatience or disregard of road traffic signs this is not always possible. In most cases you will find that Law Enforcement officials manned robots that are fully functional – trying to direct traffic, creating more problems than a solution. Drivers approaching unmanned, not functional robots would just yield without stopping, thus not giving pedestrians a chance to cross the road safely. This incident leads to road rage as everyone wants to cross the road. Pedestrians will then put their own lives at risk jaywalking. What I would suggest is for authorities to educate all road users – not only during the festive season but all seasons; this will reduce road incidents drastically. I will on the other hand bet my last penny that you would be able to at least when accessing the website (http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/) get a manual on pedestrian safety for nexto nothing. So go ahead, (http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/) and you might just discover other bargains.



NOW the big question – IS there a need to educate our road users? SO many questions… SO little answers…