21 July 2006
The Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe, and Director-General, Mrs Mpumi
Mpofu, joined by their spouses will lead a team of about 150 departmental
officials who will be participating in the Discovery and 702 walk the talk on
Sunday, 23 July 2006, at Marks Park, Emmarentia, Johannesburg.
Their participation in âwalk the talkâ is meant to highlight issues of
pedestrian safety, particularly as they are vulnerable and account for the high
number of road accidents and resultant fatalities.
Nearly 40% of the people killed on our roads are pedestrians and speed is
the biggest contributing factor. When driving in areas of pedestrian activities
like at schools, shopping centres and settlements take your foot off the
accelerator pedal, and are very vigilant. Pedestrians, especially children are
unpredictable and you will have to take evasive action to avoid hitting them if
they suddenly cross the road in front of you.
The faster you go, the harder you hit the severity of injuries sustained in
crashes are more severe at higher speed. You have less time to react to avoid a
crash at higher speeds and the faster you drive, the greater your stopping
distance will be. Stopping distance is determined by adding the distance
covered before you react, to the braking distance.
Driver's visibility at night is limited to the reach of the vehicle's
headlights, which is 45 meters on dim and 100 to 150 meters on bright. It is
important to decrease speed at night. Pedestrians must be visible at night. A
driver will only see a pedestrian wearing black or blue when he is 17 meters
away. Pedestrian wearing white clothing is visible at 55 meters, while if
wearing a retro-reflective material he or she will increase his or her
visibility to a distance of 150 meters.
It is illegal for pedestrian to walk on freeways. Where there are no
pedestrian bridges ensure that you only cross where it safe to do so. Jay
walking, this is how some pedestrians choose to take chances by crossing the
street, between intersections and through moving traffic, is extremely
dangerous. Traffic moves faster than you, and you will be involved in an
accident.
If you have been drinking alcohol do not walk on the road. Stay over where
you are, or get a lift, or take a taxi home or ask someone who has not been
drinking to take you home. Alcohol affects your vision, judgment, balance and
reaction time. Even one drink can affect you.
Always be on the lookout for pedestrians. Be seen and be visible and let's
Arrive Alive!
Media Contact:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Ntau Letebele
Cell: 082 923 9194
Issued by: Ministry of Transport
21 July 2006
Source: SAPA
