The EMPD has appealed to residents to refrain from crossing the freeway.
Crossing freeways is a life-threating risk and an illegal activity. Instead the pedestrians are advised to use the bridges that are provided for this purpose.
The MMC for Community Safety, Councillor Sizakele Masuku joined acting EMPD commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi when the EMPD embarked on a moving traffic violation operation on the R21 freeway last week.
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“Pedestrian deaths on the freeways remain a huge concern and most of the road fatalities are those of pedestrians,” said Masuku.
“These crashes occur when pedestrians attempt to cross the highways, leading to them being hit,” added Masuku.
“We appeal to pedestrians to use the bridge over the freeway, rather than crossing on the freeway when it is unsafe and illegal to do so.”
On the day of the operation, 16 suspects were apprehended for walking on the R21 in Kempton Park.
“Jay-walking is prohibited on the freeway as it poses as a danger to both pedestrians and motorists alike,” said Masuku.
“We have a responsibility as a city to protect our people and we will continue to do this until the message is driven home.”
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Mkhwanazi said the EMPD will conduct more regular operations to curb the violation of jay-walking.
The safety of pedestrians and other road users is our priority and concern,” said Mkhwanazi.
On July 30, the Kempton Express reported online that a fatal pedestrian-vehicle crash occurred on the R24 east, just after OR Tambo International Airport.
According to information received, a male pedestrian attempting to cross the R24 was hit by a white bakkie early that morning.
EMPD spokesperson Marie Mashishi said the crash scene escalated when several other vehicles travelling east struck the pedestrian. This resulted in the pedestrian sustaining multiple fatal injuries.
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“The severe injuries sustained by the pedestrian made age estimation challenging,” said Mashishi.
While officers were attending to the scene, a secondary collision occurred when a Renault panel van attempted to swerve around the pedestrian’s body but collided with an oncoming VW Polo traveling in the opposite direction.
