Ministers Take Road Safety Message to Kayamandi in Stellenbosch

Robin Carlisle, Minister of Transport and Public Works, and Sindisiwe Chikunga, National Deputy Minister of Transport, were in Kayamandi and Cloetesville on 15 August 2013 to engage with the local community on pedestrian safety as part of the National Department of Transport’s “365-Days Road Safety Programme”.

The focus was on school children and the very serious concerns relating to their visibility and safety when crossing busy intersections and railway lines.

“The road separating Kayamandi and Cloetesville is a very busy intersection that children, in particular, have to cross to get to Cloetesville Primary and High School on the other side.

“The pedestrian crossing in that area is seldom used and lacks the appropriate signage alerting drivers to the crossing. Together with the municipal authorities, we will look closer into better ways of conveying people across this busy road,” said Minister Carlisle.

The Cape Winelands Municipality is the second leading municipality in the Western Cape in road deaths, after the City of Cape Town Metro.

Fatality statistics for 2013 (up to end of June 2013) show 100 people (46 passengers and 37 pedestrians) having already lost their lives on Cape Winelands’ roads.

 “Deputy Minister Chikunga and I both agree that it is only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured on this busy intersection. We will continue to work together, with all spheres of government and communities in the province, to explore ways in which we can make our roads safer, and encourage citizens to make the choices that save lives when using our roads,” added Minister Carlisle.