A groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving road safety around schools has been launched in Mamelodi.
The "Walking Safely to School" Watch project, a joint effort by the Automobile Association, ChildSafe South Africa, International Road Safety Charity and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Foundation seeks to reduce the risk of road fatalities and injuries among children.
The project, supported by the City of Tshwane, Gauteng Department of Education and Gauteng Department of Community Safety, will implement road infrastructure modifications and promote road safety awareness around 10 schools in Mamelodi.
These modifications include improved traffic signs, road markings, speed humps, raised pedestrian crossings, and side walks.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), children account for 10.2% of road fatalities in South Africa, with seven percent of road fatalities occurring in Gauteng.
This project aims to address this alarming trend by creating safer roads and promoting road safety education.
The project in Mamelodi will be implemented over the next two years to allow for the rollout of the engineering modifications.
The initiative will also ensure that communities, parents, and schools will have enough capacity to alleviate road fatalities and injuries in children.
Executive director of the FIA Foundation Saul Billingsley said this project showcases the importance of partnership across public, private, and civil organisations to address the leading global cause of child injury deaths, road traffic crashes.
“These infrastructure assessment and improvements focus on separating children from traffic and slowing road speeds. Every child deserves an education, and to arrive at school safely,” he said.
In support of the project, the City of Tshwane conducted School Zone Road Safety Assessments at the ten selected schools in Mamelodi.
The schools include Dr IM Monare Primary School, Bohlabatsatsi Primary School, Pula Difate Primary School, Meetse-A-Bophelo Primary School, Mahube Valley Primary School, Ramahlale Primary School, Tsako-Thabo Secondary School, Zamintuthuko Primary School, Bula-Dikgoro Primary School and Mamelodi High School.
ChildSafe executive director and spokesperson Zaitoon Rabaney said they continue to advocate for the 30km an hour speed restriction around schools as well as environmental modifications that influence driver behaviour to adhere to slower speeds in school areas.
“Equipping our children and their families with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate roads safely is paramount , through educational programs, campaigns, and targeted outreach efforts, we can foster a lasting positive impact on the safety culture on our roads, especially around schools, focused on protecting our most vulnerable road users children,” she said.
Chief engineer or the Roads And Transport Department in the City of Tshwane, Frank Lambert, said they welcomes the collaboration with ChildSafe South Africa and the introduction of traffic calming measures as well as environmental modifications around schools in Mamelodi.
“These interventions support the City in advancing and achieving the its objectives towards creating safer schools with specific focus on road safety and securing the safety of scholar pedestrians,” he said.
Chairman of the AA South Africa, Sikkie Kajee, said this is an important initiative that will ensure improved pedestrian safety for learners at the ten schools.
“Importantly, the collaboration of all the role-players is an example of what can be achieved when everyone pulls in the same direction for the benefit of learners and road safety,” he said.
Kajee said that they are excited about the outcomes of the the project and as the AA South Africa they would like to see it replicated throughout the country.
“That will be our goal after this project is finalised,” he added.
Pretoria News