Building caring communities together
Showing respect and concern for all people, regardless of race, religon or culture, will create a harmonious and peaceful society for everyone. Caring for our families, communities and the environment is a central part of being South African. We shouldn't let the stress of our fast-paced lives take away our respect for each other.
Road behaviour 
We’re all trying to get somewhere in a hurry. This often leads to inconsiderate road behaviour which can escalate to road rage.
It’s important to remember that we share the roads, and we should never allow our emotions to place our lives and the lives of others in harm’s way. The rules of the road are meant to ensure our safety, ignoring these rules more often than not places lives at risk.
Do’s and don’ts for motorists:
Do’s
- Always be patient. Speed limits are an indication of the speed you shouldn’t exceed. Many accidents are caused by impatient drivers who drive recklessly behind other motorists who obey the speed limit.
- Leave earlier. By leaving earlier you won’t have the need to rush which influences your road behaviour.
- Be patient and show consideration. Allow merging traffic to merge into your lane. Move out of the way for emergency vehicles, and respect the safety of cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians who are more vulnerable to injury than you.
- Always indicate and ensure it’s safe before turning, changing lanes and while in a traffic circle.
- Obey the road signs. These signs are meant to ensure our safety, ignoring signs only places you and other road users at risk.
- Remember to always wear your seatbelt. Statistics show that the likelihood of surviving an accident substantially increases when you and your passengers are buckled up.
Don’ts
- Don't weave in and out of lanes as it doesn't allow other road users enough reaction time.
- Never tailgate someone (drive closely behind someone in an aggressive manner), flash your lights or hoot at someone who drives too slowly for your liking.
- Never use your phone if you don’t have a hands-free system. Not only is this dangerous, but it also leads to inconsiderate and reckless road behaviour.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol, heavy medication or illegal drugs.
Other road users:
Pedestrians
- Always walk on the pavement and remember that pedestrians aren't allowed on the highway.
- Look both ways before crossing a road.
- Where there are pedestrian crossings, wait for cars to stop for you before crossing.
- Cross the road quickly and remain observant until you have reached the other side.
Cyclists
- Stay as close to the side of the road as possible.
- Use hand signals to indicate if you're turning.
- Cycle in single file and never alongside other cyclists.
- Be aware and considerate of pedestrians and other road users.
Visit our Safely Home site for more road safety information.
Public transport:
For many of us public transport is a daily part of our lives. Thousands of people make use of a train, bus or taxi in order to get from point A to point B. With so many of us sharing our personal space we need to be mindful of the following to avoid unnecessary discomfort: 
- Avoid eating while you’re using public transport.
- Avoid your comfort from becoming the discomfort of fellow commuters.
- Don’t take up 2 seats.
- Don't place your bag on an open seat.
- If you're about to board a bus or train, allow boarded passengers to exit first.
- Be respectful to the driver and other staff.
- Respect the privacy of other commuters, what they are doing is none of your business.
- Use headphones/earphones when listening to music and keep the volume at a level that only you can hear.
- Give up your seat to those who really need it, like the elderly or pregnant women.
- Don’t vandalise the trains, busses or infrastructure.
- Don’t use the train as your soapbox or to evangelise other commuters.
Let’s play our part and make public transport a better experience for everyone.
Parenting
Parenthood is one of the most difficult and fulfilling roles. Raising children to become responsible and productive citizens should be a very important focus of any parent.
Who we are as adults is largely based on the manners, discipline and morals that are instilled by our parents and teachers while growing up. Children learn through what we say and teach them - but more importantly by the
attitudes and behaviours we display.
Children should be taught to:
- Respect themselves, their friends and classmates.
- Learn boundaries of what's acceptable behaviour at home and in public.
- Show respect to older persons.
- Use good social manners (please, thank you, greetings).
- Offer their seat to older persons, disabled and pregnant commuters on public transport.
- Respect their school, teachers and uniform by adhering to the school’s code of conduct.
- Always be honest, and help those less fortunate than they are.
Children who know that they’re loved by their parents and are positively encouraged and taught to love and respect themselves, are better equipped to face life’s challenges. These children will know their self-worth and will in all likelihood make better decisions that’s not based on peer pressure.
Find out about family planning to better prepare you for when you're ready to have a family.
Public spaces
- Not playing loud music.
- Ensuring that any activities such as playing with balls or a frisbee doesn’t disturb anyone else.
- Keeping your area clean by removing any rubbish such as paper plates, plastic containers and packets.
- Not blocking pavements or passageways for others to pass by.
- Not bumping into others in shopping centres, and always being mindful of others around you.
When we're respectful, considerate and helpful toward each other, then we are truly Better Together.
Visit our one of our tranquil reserves managed by CapeNature.
 |
Western Cape Government © 2018. All rights reserved.
This project is an initiative of the Western Cape Government. |
 |