Community Policing Officer
Frimn January to August 2023, the Windhoek City Police recorded 226 pedestrian accidents. During August alone, specifically between 6 and 13 August 2023, two minors were killed by motor vehicles.
The devastating truth about these statistics is that of the more than 200 pedestrian accidents, one in five involved children. Notable attributes of these accidents are learners crossing the road by themselves at undesignated spots, as well as kids playing soccer in the street.
Physical and mental development stages for children are crucial. However, children are particularly vulnerable to injury because they live in a world which they have little power or control. Children are distracted easily and forget to watch oncoming traffic. Children also have shorter attention spans and lower impulse control compared to adults, so they tend to make impulsive decisions, making them vulnerable to accidents and injuries or even fatalities.
When a driver gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they are responsible for understanding the rules of the road. This includes obeying stop signs, driving within the speed limit, and watching for pedestrians and pedestrian crossings. The law requires that drivers yield to pedestrians who have entered a pedestrian crossing. Common sense would dictate that a driver should slow down when approaching a pedestrian crossing and check to see if there is a pedestrian nearby who is potentially attempting to cross the street.
According to the Road Traffic and Transport Act, 1999 (Act 22 of 1999), a pedestrian may cross a public road only at a pedestrian crossing or an intersection, or at a distance further than 50 meters from the pedestrian crossing or intersection.
Children are more active and erratic in their movements, especially when playing. For example, chasing a stray soccer ball into the street without watching for oncoming traffic could have catastrophic results.
The young ones are often caught off guard and are unaware of moving vehicles. As a result, they end up being bumped, mostly by drivers who fail to adhere to the 40 kilometers per hour speed limit in residential areas.
We therefore request parents not to allow their children to play in the street as they could be arrested for child neglect. The most important and effective way to protect your child from pedestrian accidents is to provide specific and ongoing education at home on the rules of the road, and the dangers of playing on the street.
Sometimes these lessons are taught at school as well through scholar patrols, but practicing at home will truly help them to look left, right and left again before stepping out from the sidewalk. Parents are also encouraged to ensure their children are accompanied by an adult to and from school.
As a driver, when driving near schools, residential areas, or playgrounds, you should always slow down, be cautious and watch your speed because a child could dash into the street at any moment.
Pay attention and always anticipate the unexpected.
For any reckless driving or any road safety related matters, please call the Windhoek City Police on 061302302.