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Walking safely<h2 class="sectHeading">​See and be seen</h2><p>Walking rather than driving is good for your pocket, good for the environment and, most importantly, good for your health. If you live far away from your place of work, consider using public transport for part of your journey and then walk the rest.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <span class="info fastfact"></span> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p>During 2012, more than 63 000 crashes occurred on the City’s roads, leading to the loss of 660 lives and the injury of more than 15 000 people. 373 (57%) of these people were pedestrians. (<em>Source: </em><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies%2c%20plans%20and%20frameworks/City_of_Cape_Town_Road_Safety_Strategy.pdf" target="_blank">CCT Road Safety Strategy</a>)</p></div></div><h4> The most important rule in pedestrian safety is to see and be seen:</h4><ul><li>Crossing suddenly in front of, behind or from between parked vehicles can get you run over – make sure drivers can see you before crossing the road.</li><li>Never run across the road when there are cars around.</li><li>Always cross in a straight line if you can – it is the shortest way to the other side of the road.</li><li>Jay-walking is extremely dangerous – even if you are super-alert, traffic moves faster than you.</li><li>Vehicles coming out of hidden driveways are always a danger. Look out for them!</li><li>Always wear very colourful or reflective clothing at night.</li><li>If there is no pavement, walk as near to the edge of the road as possible, facing oncoming traffic.</li><li>Alcohol (and drugs) can impair your ability to walk safely, just as they impair a person's ability to drive or ride a bicycle.</li><li>If there is a pedestrian bridge over the road, use it even if it means walking further than your planned route.</li><li>Always look both ways before crossing.</li><li>Never assume that you have been seen – there are many things that could distract the attention of the motorist; try to make eye contact with them to be sure they have seen you.</li><li>Do not leave children unaccompanied next to the road.</li><li>Do not walk halfway across the road or weave in and out of the traffic – remain beside the road until both lanes are clear.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Flooded roads</h2><p>Winter storms in Cape Town can be a hard reality for many drivers – accidents happen more easily and traffic can be extremely heavy. This can mean a higher risk for anyone walking along the sides of the roads.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p>To report or complain about flooded roads, chemical or other spills, or other stormwater matters, contact our call centre on <em><a>0860 103 089</a></em>. You may also call the Disaster Risk Management Centre on <em> <a>080 911 4357</a></em> or email <em> <a>disasterrisk.managementcentre@capetown.gov.za</a></em>.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Safety when crossing roads</h2><ul><li>When crossing the road, use pedestrian crossings and bridges.</li><li>Walk on the pavement, not in the road.</li><li>Wear reflective clothing, especially at night, to increase your visibility to other road users.</li><li>Do not leave children unaccompanied on or near a road.</li><li>Do not walk on or near a road when intoxicated.</li><li>Always obey road traffic signs.</li><li>Follow instructions from traffic officers.</li></ul><h4>Crossing the street</h4><ul><li>Cross at a pedestrian crossing wherever possible.</li><li>Look left, then right, then left again before crossing.</li></ul><h4>Crossing at a bus/taxi stop</h4><ul><li>Never cross a road in front of a bus or taxi, even if they are not moving.</li><li>Wait until the bus or taxi has passed.</li><li>Walk down to the end and cross behind them – you will have a much better view of oncoming traffic.</li></ul><h4> Controlled crossing</h4><p> These have a responsible adult such as a traffic officer or school crossing guard directing pedestrians across a road. Children should cross at controlled crossings whenever possible.</p><h4> Crossing at traffic lights or ‘robots’</h4><ul><li>Cross only when the light is green.</li><li>Keep between the solid white lines and watch for moving vehicles.</li><li>Cross quickly but carefully.</li><li>Be aware of drivers – especially those that may be turning a corner.</li><li>Do not cross when the light shows amber (orange) for motorists.</li><li>Do not cross when the pedestrian light is red – only cross when the green man is showing.</li><li>When the amber/red man shows while you are in the middle of the road/street, continue crossing – but if you are still on the pavement, do not cross at all.</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p>When vehicles turn into the path of a pedestrian, they must give way to the pedestrian if the green, or flashing red, or amber man is shown.</p></div></div><h4> Crossing at a marked pedestrian crossing:</h4><ul><li>Pedestrians have the right of way, but never take it for granted that drivers will stop for you.</li><li>Cars might not notice you or may just decide not obey the law.</li><li>Make sure the traffic has stopped before you start crossing.</li></ul><h4> Crossing where there are no traffic lights, controlled crossing or markings:</h4><ul><li>Where there is no special place for you to cross, look for a straight stretch of road away from sharp bends or anything that blocks your view such as bushes, hills, slopes or rises.</li><li>When you cross, you must be able to see clearly in both directions.</li></ul><h4> If there is no pavement walk as far as possible to the right hand side of the road – facing oncoming traffic.</h4><ul><li>You will be out of the way and can see vehicles long before they get close to you.</li><li>You cannot be surprised by something coming up behind you.</li><li>If anything looks dangerous, you have enough time to step even further away from the road.</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>Where there is a pavement, by law, no pedestrian is allowed to walk in the road.</p></div></div><p>However, under no circumstances is it legal for a pedestrian to cross a highway, other than by a pedestrian bridge.</p><p> <em>Source: Compiled by <a href="https://www.arrivealive.co.za/" target="_blank">Arrive Alive<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> and Education and Communication: Division Road Traffic Management​, as well as the <a href="https://www.transport.gov.za/" target="_blank">National Department of Transport<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> in conjunction with Provincial Departments of Transport.</em></p>GP0|#6b4711de-a98e-4115-8eec-172c688c3ad6;L0|#06b4711de-a98e-4115-8eec-172c688c3ad6|Walking safely;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#e6f1c59e-02fc-4c68-bbf2-29b7424f3082;GPP|#9f841cad-99c7-419d-a78f-65752fc421d4;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752;GP0|#2efcad22-7144-44d0-bfdf-c45a5b84ec19;L0|#02efcad22-7144-44d0-bfdf-c45a5b84ec19|Walking safely;GPP|#d28cd67f-3bd5-4d41-9db3-54bd246b934f;GPP|#bb1d214c-4a13-47f8-89cd-911676b553ad;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#3cbffb5f-f41b-4f6b-a82b-b3574ec1f857;L0|#03cbffb5f-f41b-4f6b-a82b-b3574ec1f857|Walking safely;GPP|#8976fb79-910a-406c-bef2-3aed81e2f589;GPP|#6f520d07-fa28-4a39-a1a6-a53c75fe9ed2;GPP|#e88ff549-973f-4e3c-a46c-cfbe61bd6a24;GP0|#cc029164-47dc-47dc-97ea-4d10ce3c74f1;L0|#0cc029164-47dc-47dc-97ea-4d10ce3c74f1|Walking safely;GPP|#cf84ce59-ed47-4a14-9a17-f263b9d28c4f;GPP|#14a3ee0b-b641-42d6-9511-506df3d1bdc9;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57;GP0|#de000aa9-051e-41b2-a93b-712009451cc8;L0|#0de000aa9-051e-41b2-a93b-712009451cc8|Walking safely;GPP|#00d4d49a-c378-43ad-bf39-d52bd0d43fdc;GP0|#ee9bd7ae-2ee6-42dc-92ae-e36e87bee0a0;L0|#0ee9bd7ae-2ee6-42dc-92ae-e36e87bee0a0|Walking safely;GPP|#14f28a8e-0a68-42b1-8871-7e8fd66a3283;GP0|#34ac5334-1394-4ea8-82de-9c574d81f721;L0|#034ac5334-1394-4ea8-82de-9c574d81f721|Walking safely;GPP|#0f252e5e-cbae-49e4-a32a-5948f5c74f9d;GP0|#a18c19f4-f57b-4ca9-b1e7-bb768cbea1be;L0|#0a18c19f4-f57b-4ca9-b1e7-bb768cbea1be|Walking safely;GPP|#535b3a4a-cc07-4f22-a0ae-87bac46e162aKeep these safety tips and laws in mind when walking in Cape Town.0

 

 

CCT 2013 - 2018 Road Safety Strategy958243GP0|#bb3e3c24-a53e-46bf-bfce-cc8d4ebdaa59;L0|#0bb3e3c24-a53e-46bf-bfce-cc8d4ebdaa59|Strategy;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#4a698fa1-48a1-4def-afa7-749a0e063169;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2014-07-31T22:00:00Z

 

 

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