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Safety campaign takes to streets
- Details
- 07 September 2012
PEDESTRIANS and commuters were targeted in a safety campaign at the Joburg Art Gallery Station, a busy hub used by workers and schoolchildren on their way around town.
Staff members teach commuters and pedestrians about safety precautions
The initiative, held on Wednesday, 5 September, was part of regular safety campaigns designed to inculcate a road safety consciousness among road users. The group spoke to commuters in the station, distributed pamphlets and walked through the surrounding area to speak to passers-by, including those heading to or from work and schoolchildren.
Officers from the Johannesburg metro police department and personnel from Joburg’s emergency management service were also on board. Rea Vaya’s mascot, RV, was present and was very popular with the youngsters, as usual. Though some cried when they first caught sight of him, they warmed to him when he handed out sweets.
RV posed for pictures with the children and got them jamming to his hilarious dance moves.
Also out was Sipho Mahlangu, Rea Vaya’s deputy director of safety and security; Nomalizo Xabana, the senior marketing and public liaison officer; and the local ward councillor, Tjitjila Mashao.
Officers from the Johannesburg metro police department were also on board
He urged pedestrians not to walk in the bus lanes and condemned motorists and taxi drivers, who would often drive in reserved bus lanes.
“There are pedestrians walk ways,” Mahlangu said. “Our people must walks on those for their own safety. Our buses are not noisy; sometimes when they come you can’t hear their sound.”
He gave safety pamphlets to schoolchildren, while Xabana patiently read through some of the safety tips with a group of primary school pupils.
Also reading out the safety tips to her peers was Mbali Sithole, a Grade 7 leaner from Sithathele Primary School in Soweto, who travelled on a Rea Vaya bus daily from the inner city.
“Do not walk on the road where you are not supposed to – short cuts are dead cuts.”
She continued: “Cross only at pedestrian crossings or when traffic lights are green.” But before she could finish, two children started hummed, showing that they were familiar with the rules of the road.
Also speaking while handing out safety pamphlets, Mashao said her transport sub-committee had been working on similar campaigns. “We are happy that Rea Vaya invited us as part of the inner city community to also make a contribution.”
She said many accidents in the area involved pedestrians and that the campaign could not have come at a better time. “Our transport sub-committee has been working on similar programmes.
Our focus now will be schoolchildren [and] we will be happy if we can get volunteer marshals from the community who will help our children to cross the road at crucial intersections.”
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