I am writing this open letter in the hope that it will save a life.
On Tuesday afternoon, Naledi Masupa, a pupil at Kenton Primary School, lost her life. She and her sister were on their way home when a vehicle hit them.
Although the accident did not happen in front of the school, it did highlight very important issues including our children’s knowledge of road safety and our responsibility as drivers.
I have noticed an absolute disregard towards the speed limit and general rules of the road, impatience and little common courtesy at my daughter’s primary school and several other schools that fall on my daily route.
This might sound as though it is a sermon, when in reality it is common sense.
While you are ensuring that you do not give way to the car who has its indicator on, the road patrol opens their boards and children start crossing the road. Where is your attention at that moment?
I am not exaggerating. I have, on more than one occasion, seen how a car has to slam on the brakes to avoid barreling into the children. I shiver at the thought of the day when it’s just a little too late.
What are we teaching our children regarding respect for the law, for each other, for ourselves? What if you hit a child with your car? What if someone hits your child? What if someone hits your child’s best friend?
The domino effect is astronomical. If we do not respect the law, each other and ourselves enough to be safe, courteous drivers, how can we expect our children to become safe and courteous drivers?
The moment it takes you to give another driver a chance to get into the mad morning and afternoon school traffic, or to park correctly in order to allow another not to struggle to park, or to drive slowly, carefully and with extreme vigilance around the school or any street where there is a school or daycare will not destroy your life. In fact you will find yourself to be less stressed, hurried and a happy parent in turn means happy children.
But the responsibility does not end there. We as parents and guardians have an absolute responsibility to teach our children about road safety.
The basics: check for oncoming traffic before crossing the road, do not run across the street, always use a pedestrian crossing where possible, etc.
It might sometimes feel stupid or unnecessary, but good road etiquette can save your child’s life.
I don’t want to bury my child – no parent wants to. Plain and simple respect and patience on the road regardless of whether it is around the school or in general will lengthen all of our lives.
I take a moment of silence for yet another innocent life taken too soon.
I also send up a cry that this letter will touch hearts and open eyes.
• A mother
