Now (Oct 22 2014) the province’s transport and public works department has released a shocking video revealing the horrors of child pedestrians being knocked down on our roads.
SHOCK TACTICS
The latest video, the fifth instalment of its Crash Witness video series, is a co-production of the transport and public works department and the health department. According to the transport department: "The videos illustrate the real and horrific effect which speed, drunk driving, irresponsible road use by pedestrians and not wearing a seat belt have on our roads."
As part of Safely Home’s focus on child road-safety in October EMS technicians discuss "clearing up after child pedestrians have been run over".
The video also shows CCTV footage of pedestrians walking into traffic and being hit by vehicles and is part of a new Crash Witness series focused on, the department says, "first responders, the people who are cleaning up the mess left by reckless road users".
CHILDREN ‘DIE SENSELESSLY'
Western Cape MEC for transport and public works Donald Grant told Wheels24: "We simply cannot ignore the very serious message conveyed by this video. Turning a blind eye to the dangers faced by our children as a result of reckless and irresponsible road use will invariably mean that more and more children will die senselessly on our roads.
"We will continue to employ all of our efforts to counter this scourge and save the lives of those most vulnerable."
Click here to watch the Safely Home video. (Warning: Graphic footage)
CHILD PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES MAP
In October 2014 the Safely Home campaign released an interactive map showing child pedestrians killed in 2014.
The map, part of a Western Cape focus on protecting children walking next to roads, was compiled using data provided by the Forensic Pathology Service of the Western Cape Department of Health.
Click here to view the interactive map
WESTERN CAPE SCHOOL BUSES BLITZ
Cape Town Traffic Services conducted a school transport operation outside the Parow Valley Preparatory School on Oct 16 2014). The blitz's findings were shocking.
The operation, part of the Western Cape's 'Safely Home' campaign, found school transport vehicles were operated without permits and many were overloaded with children. Six vehicles were impounded, three drivers were operating without a licence.
What do you think of the Western Cape's latest Crash Witness video? Do you think it will be effective in curbing poor road behaviour? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts on Wheels24.