How pedestrian friendly are you?

Most road fatalities in South Africa involve pedestrians.

With this in mind, MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert says by motorists making a few modifications to their driving behaviour, fewer pedestrians may lose their lives.

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Such changes include:
• Make eye contact with pedestrians when possible. Never assume they know you are there and aware of your intended movement
• Exert extra caution in areas where pedestrians are commonplace, such as in city centres
• Check your blind spot for pedestrians
• Even if pedestrians do something wrong, it is the motorist’s responsibility to avoid colliding with them
• Be particularly careful at night. Keep an eye on the side of the road for people or a flash of movement across the road
• If there is a pedestrian beside the road showing signs of intoxication, immediately increase the distance between yourself and them, and be ready in case they stumble and fall into your path
• Avoid distracted driving, it is an even bigger danger to pedestrians
• Slow down around schools or areas where children are likely to be present, and expect the unexpected. Children are not road savvy. Be cautious of children running across the road when moving around scholar transport
• Look before turning into a road, as a pedestrian could well be in the road
• Drive defensively and obey the speed limit
• Keep your lights on if you do not already, to increase your visibility to pedestrians.

Pedestrians are vulnerable on the roads. “Play your part in reducing pedestrian fatalities with a few adjustments to your driving,” said Herbert.

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