UN Global Road Safety Week

5 to 11 May

Road fatalities are a major contributor to unnatural deaths. Every day 35 to 40 people lose their lives in South Africa. That adds up to 14 000 annually. According to the statistics, 40% of fatalities comprise of pedestrian in both urban and rural areas.

In 2011 the United Nations launched a Decade of Action with the aim of stabilising and reducing global road deaths by 2020. There is a 50% target set for the reduction of fatalities by that date.

The theme for UN Global Road Safety Week 2013 is pedestrian safety. The week will draw attention to the urgent need to better protect pedestrians, generate action on the measures needed to do so, and contribute to achieving the goal of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

The Road Traffic Management corporation will embark on the safe systems approach involving the five pillars:

  • Road safety management
  • Safer roads and mobility
  • Safer vehicles
  • Safer road users
  • Post crash response

Key messages

  • Walk where it is safe to do so.
  • Do not walk on freeways.
  • Cross at safe/controlled pedestrian crossings.
  • Respect and show appreciation for scholar patrols.
  • When walking, ensure that you wear clothes that make you visible.
  • Know your "No Go" areas.
  • Don't drink and walk.
  • Don't text and walk or listen to music through ear phones in such a way that you do hear traffic.
  • Be especially aware of the elderly and the very young.
  • Everyone is a pedestrian at some point, therefore be polite and patient.
  • Pedestrians have a right to be on the road (but not on freeways).
  • Allow pedestrians to cross safely at controlled pedestrian crossings.

Source: Road Traffic Management Corporation

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