A pedestrian accident on the R45 Klapmuts/Simondium Road in Klapmuts, Western Cape, tragically resulted in the death of two children.
Deadly Klapmuts pedestrian accident the latest in growing incidents in Western Cape
Despite the immediate response from emergency medics, both children were declared deceased at the scene, per Arrive Alive. Local authorities promptly arrived for assistance and to conduct further investigations into this heartbreaking event.
In light of this tragedy, the City’s Safety and Security Directorate is intensifying its focus on pedestrian safety.
This comes amid a worrying increase in accidents involving pedestrians. Over a recent 48-hour period, the Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 82 road accidents, 28 of which involved pedestrians, a notable increase from 21 the previous weekend.
The Centre has also reported a 25% year-on-year increase in pedestrian accidents. The rising accident statistics and numerous complaints about jaywalking, particularly on freeways, are significant causes for concern.
Pedestrians not only risk their own lives but also endanger vehicle occupants in potential collisions.
Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, emphasised the dual risk posed by pedestrians on roadways, including the threat of criminal activities targeting motorists.
“Not only do pedestrians gamble with their own lives by walking in areas meant for motorised transport, but they are also putting the lives of vehicle occupants at risk, should a collision occur,” he said.
He cited a recent incident where Metro Police officers arrested three suspects for robbing a motorist on the N2 inbound. The City’s agencies are ramping up awareness and education initiatives around pedestrian safety, including issuing fines for illegal pedestrian activities on freeways and road reserves.
“The City’s agencies conduct ongoing awareness and education around pedestrian safety. In recent months, they’ve increased their activities to also issue fines, in terms of national legislation, which prohibits pedestrian activity on the freeways and the road reserves adjacent to them, but also stopping to offload passengers,” he added.
In August, nearly 200 offences were recorded for pedestrians illegally using the N2, and vehicles illegally stopping to drop or pick up passengers. In the first three weeks of November alone, the Traffic Service issued 283 fines for pedestrians utilizing the freeway.