CoJ in major drive to halt carnage on the roads

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – AS part of Transport Month, the City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department is visiting a number of communities throughout the municipality’s seven regions to provide awareness about the significance of road safety and the importance of adhering to municipal by-laws.

On Sunday, October 18, members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) educated the public about the importance of road safety and compliance with by-laws, as well as the dangers of substance abuse.

By-laws set out what can and cannot be done in a municipality, such as where vehicles may park or stop. For instance, illegal dumping is prohibited and perpetrators face stiff fines. Street trading in the city centre is also regulated. Informal traders are not allowed to trade within five metres of an intersection as well as on pavements. Traders must also have a valid trading permit.

According to Lina Moganedi, JMPD’s community outreach officer, South Africa has one of the world’s largest number of accidents on the roads, particularly those involving pedestrians. “The city of Joburg is committed to building safe and secure communities. Safety and security of our people is a top priority,” Moganedi said.

To fight the scourge of substance abuse, the city has developed its own drug strategy and works closely with the South African Police Service. Moganedi said through the implementation of the city’s by-laws, Johannesburg will be a safe and clean place to live, work and play in. As the festive season approaches, the city has compiled a list of safety tips to help pedestrians stay out of danger.

The safety tips:

*Do not drink and walk on highways.

*Do not wear dark clothes at night.

*Do not cross the road without looking right and left.

*Do not walk on the freeway as pedestrians are not allowed to be on it.

*Do not cross the road anywhere, always use a pedestrian crossing.