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W Cape shocker: 582 pedestrians killed

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CAPE TOWN, Western Cape - The latest video released by the Western Cape government's Crash Witness CCTV series reveals that 582 pedestrians were killed in the Western Cape through 2013 year, making up close to half of the road-death toll for the province.

Over the years, says W Cape MEC of transport and public works Donald Grant, Safely Home’s 'Crash Witness' video campaign has captured the tragic consequences when pedestrians walk on freeways.

According to Grant, pedestrians are often intoxicated when they do so.

Click here to watch the Safely Home video. (Warning: Graphic footage)

Grant said: "Walking on the freeway is illegal but it does not deserve the death sentence."

Pedestrian road deaths statistics:
  • 582 pedestrians killed on Western Cape roads in 2013.
  • By October 23 2014 another 448 pedestrians had been killed.
  • Pedestrians make up 44% of 2014's death toll so far.
  • Most pedestrians are killed in 60km/h zones.
  • Poorer communities are disproportionately represented.
  • Black males, aged 20-34, are the highest risk.

Freeway hotspots:
  • N1 Brackenfell to Joostenberg Vlakte.
  • N2 Cape Town airport to Spine Road.
  • N7 adjacent to Du Noon.
  • Vanguard Drive from Masemola Road to R300,
  • R300 Vanguard Drive toN2,

Mabunda et al’s 2007 Research found that:
  • Alcohol was present in 58% of pedestrian fatalities where blood was tested.
  • Alcohol was present in 90% of male pedestrians killed at night.
  • Pedestrian fatalities are most common between 6pm and midnight.
  • Pedestrian fatalities increase through the course of the week, peaking on Saturday nights and in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Grant said: "I urge all pedestrians to stay off the freeways and all busy roads, especially at night and after consuming alcohol. Always wear high visibility clothing, particularly in the evening and in bad weather, and walk in groups whenever possible.

"I urge all drivers to display consideration for pedestrians, even those who are on a freeway illegally. Pedestrians are almost always killed in a collision with vehicles travelling at more than 60km/h. Slowing down will give you more time to react to pedestrians in the road and means that, should a collision occur, you will have a far greater chance of braking to a survivable speed."

KEEP THE KIDS SAFE

In October 2014 the Safely Home campaign released an interactive map showing child pedestrians killed in 2014.
The map, part of a Western Cape focus on protecting children walking next to roads, was compiled using data provided by the Forensic Pathology Service of the Western Cape Department of Health.

Click here to view the interactive map

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