The long weekend claimed the lives of six pedestrians on the roads in the province within four days.
A motorist who witnessed one on the accidents where a pedestrian standing on the barrier line in the middle of the road, about to cross on the other side of the R40 road in Bushbuckridge calls on road users to put their safety first.
“The pedestrian was flung in the air by a vehicle which was overtaking on the road. He fell on the road where he instantly died. This was the worst incident I have ever seen on the road. Both drivers and pedestrians need to be cautious of one another on the road,” said Mike Nkosi, a driver.
Also read: Six die in separate accidents
10 safety tips for pedestrians:
* Avoid distractions when walking near or crossing a road.
* Walk only on footpaths and pavements, next to a road, or use a pedestrian bridge. Do not walk on highways – it is illegal.
* Do not walk near a road if you’ve been drinking.
* Do not stop walking halfway across a road – remain next to the road until both lanes are clear for you to cross safely;
*Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections, if possible.
*Look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.
*Make sure traffic has stopped before stepping off the kerb.
*Establish eye contact with the driver to ensure you have been seen.
*Keep looking for oncoming traffic while crossing the road.
*Pedestrians should also wear light coloured or reflective when walking on the road at night.
Sources for the safety tips: Trac N4 Toll route and https://www.pedbikeinfo.org/community/tips_pedestrian.cfm
