On point for the safety of learners

GEORGE NEWS - The George Traffic Department has five point duty officers that play an integral role in assisting with traffic flow, especially at traffic hotspots and ensuring the safety of pupils crossing a dual carriageway.

Acting Traffic Manager Vernon Petersen said the Western Cape administration is currently working with George Traffic on training.

"Point duty officers deliver an invaluable service to the community of George, as without them the safety of school children will be compromised."

The point duty officers are busy from early in the mornings, during midday traffic and again in the evenings at the Thembalethu bridge intersections, Outeniqua High School, the Courtenay / Mitchell street intersection as well as at Pacaltsdorp at the Beach / Panther Street crossing. They visit schools to ensure scholar patrols function correctly, and issue notices for illegal parking and unlicensed vehicles.

They assist and or escort at special functions such as funerals and form part of beach patrols during holidays and the festive season.

Their busiest times are peak hours from 06:00 to 08:00 in the morning, from noon until 14:00 and from 16:30 to 18:00. These officers have been in operation from 2013 to date.

Problem solving

Edwin Felix, who has been a part of the road safety team, says he enjoys his work, especially when teaching school learners from crèche age how to be safe on the road. Franklin Windwaai, also a part of road safety since 2011, says he loves problem solving and it makes his day when he can solve a traffic jam.

He says making a difference in children's lives by teaching them about road safety makes his job worthwhile.

Each of the following schools introduced scholar patrols and are well pleased with the help they received from the George point duty officers: Conville Primary, Parkdene Primary, Dellville Park Primary, St Mary's Primary, Thembalethu Primary and New Dawn Park Primary. Outeniqua Primary and Blanco Primary are currently in training for scholar patrol duties.

Accolades

Christo Vorster, Outeniqua High School principal, says he was impressed by the quick response of the George Traffic Department after the school asked them to investigate a slipway at the school to make the pick-up and dropping-off of their learners a little easier.

Teresa Barnard, parent of an Outeniqua High School learner, thanks the George Traffic Department and acting traffic manager for the incredible improvement in the mornings after a traffic official was placed to guide the traffic at the robot intersection of Courtenay and Mitchell streets.

Larry Muller, St Mary's Primary School principal, says both the local and provincial traffic departments' involvement at the school made a positive difference with the scholar patrol and thanks the department for all the assistance.

Point duty officer Edwin Felix assists Pacaltsdorp High School learners at a crossing on Beach Road.