NATIONAL NEWS - As part of the United Nations Global Road Safety Week, starting 12 May, the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) will convene a high-level panel discussion focused on the urgent need for safer walking and cycling conditions in the country, particularly for non-motorised transport including children, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Themed “Walk, Ride, Thrive: Safe Streets for Children, Pedestrians, and Cyclists in South Africa,” the event will be hosted with support from the FIA Foundation.
Why this matters:
- Pedestrians account for nearly 40% of annual road deaths in South Africa.
- Children aged 5–14 are among the most vulnerable, with road traffic injuries ranking among the leading causes of death within this age group.
- Cyclists face increased risks due to inadequate infrastructure and limited road visibility, which leads to high injury and fatality rates.
A key highlight of the event will be a presentation of the “Walking Safely to School” (WATCH) project in Mamelodi, Tshwane. The community-driven initiative is showcasing how simple infrastructure improvements can significantly reduce risks for schoolchildren in a partnership between AA South Africa and ChildSafe South Africa, supported by the FIA Foundation.
“The fact that so many children walk to school without suitable infrastructure is unacceptable. We need urgent, long-term investments in road safety – and that starts with listening to those most affected,” says the CEO of AASA Bobby Ramagwede.
Panel discussion focus areas:
- Road safety data and trends in South Africa
- Infrastructure gaps and proven safety interventions
- The lived experiences of children and other vulnerable users
- Civil society’s role in shaping safer transport policy
- Lessons from local projects, including Mamelodi’s Walking Safely to School initiative
Campaign hashtags:
#MakeWalkingSafe | #MakeCyclingSafe | #SafeStreetsSA
The panel event will also launch a digital campaign encouraging South Africans to share their walking routes, tag unsafe areas, and advocate for change by municipalities.
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