- Launched
in July 2024, the Traffic Service’s Road Safety Education initiative has
already conducted over 1,300 road safety lectures and more than 3,000
scholar patrol visits. - Over
40 Grade 2 learners from Christel House participated in an engaging,
hands-on session at the Hillstar Junior Traffic Training Centre. - With
motor vehicle accidents being a leading cause of death among children, the
program empowers kids to become responsible road users, ensuring their own
safety and that of others.
With motor vehicle accidents reported as one of the top-ranking causes of death among young children, the Traffic Service’s Road Safety Education is teaching learners the basics of road safety.
Since the programme’s inception in July last year, the Traffic Service’s Road Safety Education has hosted 1 363 road safety lectures and conducted over 3 000 scholar patrol visits.
Last week, for more than 40 Grade 2 learners at Christel House in Ottery, the interactive class at Hillstar Junior Traffic Training Centre (JTT) was fun and informative.
The centre is set up to help facilitate an understanding of the basic road rules in a “show and tell” environment.
Carol Kriel, junior school principal at Christel House South Africa, says road safety is a crucial aspect of learner education.
The Road Safety Education Unit tackles subjects such as wearing a seat belt when travelling in a car, safe places to play, places not to play such as pavements and streets, how to cross a road safely and where to safely cross a road.
“We believe in teaching our learners the values of good citizenship, and part of that includes instilling in them the responsibility they will carry as adults to ensure their own safety and the safety of others,” said Kriel. “As a non-profit school dedicated to serving learners from vulnerable communities, we recognise that road safety is a crucial aspect of our (learners’) education.”
According to Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith, it is important to empower children.
“Our road safety record in this country is problematic, and motor vehicle accidents are one of the top ranking causes of death among young children,” he said.
“By teaching them critical lifesaving skills of being responsible road users, we empower children to stand up for their rights and safety and that of others.”
The department conducts hundreds of road safety lectures annually to young, enthusiastic audiences.
During visits to the JTTC, learners are encouraged to complete the circuit using scooters and other non-motorised means to help familiarise themselves with road signs, traffic lights and stop streets.
“It’s critical that children know where the safe spaces are to play, how to safely cross a road, and that they need to be strapped in at all times when seated in a vehicle,” said Smith.
“One thing that continues to shock me is the number of people who insist on driving with children sitting on their laps or standing between seats, despite the very clear and present danger it presents.”
Apart from conducting the road safety lectures and running the JTTC, the Road Safety Education Unit is also responsible for scholar patrols, part-time traffic attendants and facilitating pedestrian awareness campaigns.
Officers attached to the unit visit schools, or engage with learners between foundation phase and primary school level at the Junior Traffic Training Centre (JTTC).
Any schools interested in scheduling a visit to the JTTC can contact the Road Safety Education Unit via email at Traffic.Services@capetown.gov.za
