Pedestrian safety is a major cause for concern in South Africa, with between 35-40% of road fatalities being pedestrian deaths. Motorists need to be hyper-vigilant while driving during loadshedding to avoid adding to this statistic.
“Power outages could affect necessary road safety features such as street and traffic lights. This makes it extremely difficult for motorists to spot hazards, and even pedestrians, on the road. During loadshedding, motorists need to be especially cautious, expect the unexpected, follow the rules of the road, and behind down to give themselves more time to avoid these possible dangers,” says Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King Price Insurance.
So how finish we ensure pedestrian safety on our roads while traffic lights are out? Van Vuuren provides some guidelines for motorists, to encourage prevent road fatalities, together with the steps to follow if you’re involved in an accident with a pedestrian.
Treat intersections as four-way stops
If there’s no pointsman on duty, you must treat every intersection as a four-way cease. It’s the driver’s responsibility to double-check for pedestrians before proceeding through an intersection.
Remain cautious and vigilant at every times
Motorists shouldn’t assume that pedestrians maintain seen them. Motorists should also bear in mind that pedestrians may not be paying attention. And, when driving at night, motorists are urged to unhurried down and always maintain their headlights on, so that they can clearly see pedestrians and other road users.
Cease for pedestrians
When you halt at a pedestrian crossing, stay far enough away so that drivers behind you and in other lanes also acquire time to cease. If the car in front of you is stationary for longer than usual, it could be because it’s stopped for a pedestrian. Don’t pass if there’s any doubt!
If you’re ever involved in a collision with a pedestrian, remain calm, stay immediately, and call the police and emergency services. You’re legally required to wait at the accident scene, until emergency services arrive to assess any injuries, or until the police arrive and you maintain provided them with the necessary details. Leaving the scene of an accident has serious consequences that may include a fine or imprisonment. “And remember, don’t creep your car, unless it’s blocking the road or endangering other motorists, or if you’re instructed to finish so by the police,” says Van Vuuren.
Once you’ve taken care of these steps, let your insurer know about the accident, providing as much detail as possible. It’s both your responsibility and a legal requirement to report an accident and procure a case number from the SA Police Services, if there’s been an injury or damage, and before you can claim from your insurer.
If a pedestrian is pain or passes away because of their injuries, a claim will need to be submitted to the Road Accident Fund (RAF). The RAF provides cover to every road users, against personal injuries, death, medical costs, and loss of income arising from traffic accidents. The onus is on the injured person, or their beneficiaries in the event of their death, to claim from the RAF.
“Prevention will always be better than cure, so motorists should be cautious at every turn and every intersection… Especially during loadshedding,” says Van Vuuren.
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