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WATCH: What are they thinking? SA learners 'play chicken' with heavy trucks

Road deaths are an enormous problem in South Africa and many crashes and accidents occur due to reckless behaviour by motorists and pedestrians.

A video of school children running towards oncoming trucks - filmed in 2016 - highlights the importance of pedestrian road safety.

According to Bruce Smuts, head of Active Education the video was filmed in De Doorns, Western Cape. He said that the drug "tik" (crystal meth) played a role in the children's behaviour.

Incredibly, one of the learners involved has since, says, Smuts, turned his life around, and joined the education group in teaching fellow students about the dangers of reckless road behaviour.

Check out the clip below of school kids running in front of an oncoming truck:


Bruce Smuts the head of Active Education: "We came across a video of learners in De Doorns, Western Cape which had gone viral. The video shows learners from surrounding schools running in front of trucks and quickly moving out of the way at the last minute - better known as 'playing chicken with the truck drivers' while someone filmed them.

"It has also been revealed that the drug 'tik' or crystal meth played a role at this time.

"Further investigation by Active Education into the video found that it was taken in 2016. School principals had taken action but had expressed a concern for the area and said further intervention would be necessary."

Smuts adds: "One of the learners that were in the video since turned his life around, came forward and joined us in speaking to the learners about his experience and why it is so important to be Safe on the Roads.

"He has made a positive impact on the learners and was great to see something positive come out of this scary situation."

Western Cape road deaths

Farrel Payne, director of provincial traffic services, said the number of recorded road traffic fatalities in the Western Cape dropped from 1374 to 1315, a 4.3% decrease in 2017 compared to the previous year.


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