City kicks off Easter road safety campaign

JMPD cautions residents of Eldorado Park and Protea Glen who live near the freeway to avoid crossing the N1 as it is not only illegal but places their lives at risk.

This follows JMPD’s road safety campaign in a bid to curb drunk driving and reduce fatal accident in the City of Johannesburg (COJ) ahead of the Easter weekend.

The campaign was launched with strategic partners Diageo SA (DSA) and Coca-Cola at the Grasmere Toll Plaza, N1 Freeway, on April 10.

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As one of the busiest long weekends fast approaches and faith-based organisation prepare to travel to various destinations, JMPD, EMS and partners are proactively working to reduce road related fatalities.

According to the State of Road Safety report, a total of 335 fatalities were recorded for 2024 Easter weekend compared to 252 for 2023 Easter weekend.

The states reflect an increase of 83 deaths in the country in 2024.

JMPD and stakeholders took the initiative to educate and share precautionary measures with motorists to prevent further increase of accidents.

During the campaign, vehicles were stopped for officials to hand out information pamphlets and gifts, and engage with motorists.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the previous years have shown a growing number of pedestrian fatalities.

He said the statistics released by the Department of Transport show that more pedestrians and cyclists are dying on the roads than actual motorists.

“One of our biggest hotspots when it comes to pedestrian fatalities in the CoJ is the N12 travelling between Eldorado Park and Protea Glen because we have informal settlements, which are lined up right next to the freeway.”

“We know that it is prohibited for any pedestrian and cyclists to be walking or cycling on the freeway.”

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Fihla said pedestrians, who attempt to cross the freeway, where vehicles are moving at high speeds, are often hit and frequently sustain fatal injuries.

He said one of contributors to the large number of pedestrian accidents is that people are walking whilst intoxicated.

JMPD chief of police Commissioner Patrick Jaca said excessive speeding, drunk driving, driver fatigue especially on long distances, intoxicated pedestrians or poor visibility of pedestrians, and the failure to use safety belts are major contributors to the road accidents.

“This partnership directly addresses the scourge of drunk driving, which is a key element in our strategy to make our roads safer for everyone.”

Andrew Ross, managing director of DSA said they partnered with the JMPD to promote road safety through theirSober vs Drink Driving campaign.

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The initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and encourage responsible alcohol consumption.

Gareth Brandon, regional logistics manager at Coca-Cola Beverages SA, said this initiative is a key part of their broader Respect the Road campaign, which aims to drive meaningful behaviour change through education and awareness, aligning with their Zero is Possible commitment to safety.

“This partnership with the JMPD extends our values into the community, and together with Diageo’s ‘Sober vs Drink Driving’ initiative, we champion a message that road safety is a shared responsibility. Respect the Road is a call to action, because when we act together, Zero is Possible.”

Safety tips

• Avoid walking on public roads; instead, use designated sidewalks or the edge of the road.
• When walking at night or in low light, wear bright or reflective clothing to increase visibility.
• Refrain from walking on busy roads after consuming alcohol, as it can impair your judgment and reaction time.
• Avoid wearing headphones or headsets while walking, as they can distract you from your surroundings and approaching vehicles.
• Stay alert and mindful of your environment to avoid potential hazards.

These safety tips are not just for holidays or special events, but for everyday walking.