GEORGE NEWS - Two deadly pedestrian-vehicle accidents (PVAs) on the N2 near George over the last two weekends have brought the perpetual issue of people tempting death by illegally walking on the freeway into sharp focus.
On Friday 1 August, a mother of three was killed when she was hit by a car on the N2 between Lawaaikamp and Thembalethu. Just a week later, a man died on the left-hand lane of the N2 east, when he was run over about 5km from Pacaltsdorp.
These are only two of multiple PVAs reported in George over the years.
The provincial traffic authority, in co-operation with Sanral and the Department of Infrastructure, are probing the viability of installing traffic signs on the N2 outside George to help prevent jaywalker deaths on the N2.
Pedestrians are by law prohibited from walking on a freeway, yet in spite of this and Sanral investing millions in pedestrian bridges over the freeway outside George a few years ago, scores of people still walk on and cross the N2.
Pedestrian fatalities make up more than half of road deaths in the Western Cape. The national average sits at 47%.
"This shocking reality indicates our message to pedestrians is not reaching home, and we have to do much more work at a local level where these accidents occur," said Transport Minister Barbara Creecy at the Easter Weekend Road Safety Report media briefing.
Causes range from negligence to deliberate acts
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a seasoned emergency services first responder confirmed the magnitude of the problem.
The source said while some people ended up in front of cars because they were drunk, others on the side of the road were hit when the driver was distracted or blinded by the sun. Some pedestrians even stepped in front of oncoming vehicles on purpose to get their hands on Road Accident Fund pay-outs or to commit suicide.
Adding to the problem are rampant vandalism and theft of fences erected along the freeway to keep pedestrians off the road.
"There is a general expectation among pedestrians that motorists simply have to see them."
The first responder suggested that drivers be extra vigilant, reducing speed and even changing lanes when they see pedestrians. He also suggested putting up road signs warning motorists of high-accident zones, and installing additional lighting in those spots.
Pedestrians walk three abreast with their backs to oncoming traffic on the N2 towards the Pacaltsdorp off-ramp. One of the pedestrain bridges Sanral built can be seen up ahead.
Daily peak time operations
The Western Cape Mobility Department's spokesperson, Muneera Allie, said the department was deeply concerned about the recent pedestrian fatalities on this stretch of road.
"Pedestrians are not allowed on freeways for safety reasons, yet we still see people walking along or crossing the N2, sometimes due to employers dropping workers off directly on the road. This is both illegal and dangerous," she said.
Allie explained that the efforts to address the problem included daily peak-time operations conducted by the Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement and Municipal Traffic teams, as well as continuous high visibility.
"The department's road safety management team also hosts various [educational] interventions within the community, covering key pedestrian areas, transport hubs and schools, to educate residents and drivers on road safety, particularly pedestrian safety," she added.
However, Allie said the challenge was more than a simple law enforcement matter and, working closely with Sanral and the Department of Infrastructure, the provincial traffic authority has asked for traffic signs to be installed on this portion of the freeway. She also highlighted the vandalism of fences along the N2, which she said are promptly reported to Sanral for repairs.
Pedestrian safety on N2 under review
Meanwhile, the George Municipality continues to raise issues such as pedestrian movement on the N2, illegal drop-offs on ramps and the condition of pedestrian walkways with Sanral and other stake-holders, even though the N2 falls under national and provincial jurisdiction.
The municipality's spokesperson, Chantèl Edwards, said its Civil Engineering Services Directorate recently assessed pedestrian and public transport activity at key interchanges and would soon discuss their findings with relevant role-players.
She said the George Traffic Department supports provincial road safety awareness campaigns when requested and has attended 11 such campaigns over the past year.
She reiterated that municipal traffic officers are not allowed to issue fines on the N2.
"Enforcement of stopping regulations on the N2 and its off-ramps is carried out by Provincial Traffic, and they have been actively undertaking these operations," Edwards concluded.
Groups of pedestrians walk on the N2 between the Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu off-ramps. A pedestrian bridge is visible in the background.
Also read: Pedestrian hit in N2 George accident dies
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