A primary school child almost lost her life twice in the past year, due to a negligent motorist. Her mother, a single-parent, still gets the shivers when she recalls the separate incidents that unfolded outside Forderville Primary School (FPS).
Late last year, the child was almost knocked over whilst crossing at the scholar patrol. ‘Murphy’s Law’ was proved right when lightning did strike twice and the child was almost run over by a speeding motorist a few weeks ago.
“The driver did not stop or even apologise. I could’ve lost my child,” said the mother who did not want to be named.
Other reports of negligent and speeding motorists have also surfaced on social media, prompting the question, how safe are the lives of the young children who make their way to and from school every day as well as how safe are the children who safeguard motorists and pedestrians – the scholar patrol?
“If there isn’t more traffic control and speed calming, an accident is waiting to happen,” commented a parent from FPS.
Another parent said: “I think that maybe speed humps could help.Also motorists park on the red line, and oncoming drivers can’t see the scholar patrol. Their lives are at risk too.There was an incident where a driver went through the scholar patrol, saying he did not see them.”
FPS School Governing Body Chairperson Ricky Ramthol agreed that motorists needed to ‘get safety-wise’, especially when travelling close to schools, saying that young children may not realise the danger they pose to motorists.
He added that while no specific incidents have been brought to his attention, visible policing, speed humps and awareness will go a long way in curbing any future incidents.
“I have noticed that drivers tend to obey the rules of the road when a traffic officer is at the school gates but sadly, this does not happen often enough. I personally requested that the municipality make the vacant land adjacent to the school hall available for taxi parking. This will alleviate congestion on the road and also ensure safety of the learners, who won’t have to venture onto the road for their transport,” Mr Ramthol said.
FPS Principal Anil Sookraj declined to comment, saying that he was not authorised to speak to the media.
Mr Sookraj did however indicate that he had forwarded an inquiry from the Estcourt News to the relevant authorities in the Education and Transport departments.
