ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY
From "Comment of the Draft Road Safety Strategy (RSS)"
Go to the project
E=MC2 is what kills pedestrians and road users.
You cannot control for Mass, therefore you have to reduce speed.
Reduce speed to 40km/hr in residential areas. 80km/hr on regional roads and 100km/hr on national roads.
Add speed bumps in all residential areas. There are no 'hot spots' EMS data shows that accidents/pedestrian incidents happen everywhere. Traffic lights are not as good as circles.
You need a pedestrian strategy! Part of the problem is no public transport. You have to go hard on law enforcement of pedestrians, stop them walking and crossing without care. Pedestrian culture is very poor, they openly challenge vehicles!
You must protect cyclists, motorbikes etc. who are unprotected by a vehicle. More dedicated off-road routes to shift cycles off the roads into mountain bike tracks. Create structural boundaries between vehicles/pedestrians/cycles. The cycle lanes don't work.
All N Routes must be double-lane highways that separate opposing directions. Bury the Armco Barrier in the ground at the ends! Not happening.
How do you reward good driving culture, particularly Taxis! The Avanza/Toyota Taxi culture is terrible! They are dangerous drivers! Less accidents = more routes? Some incentive.
I spend 30 year on the road responding to traffic accidents. If you need more advice ask.
Dr Cleeve Robertson, prior Director of EMS in the Western Cape.
