Anne Fletcher of Randburg writes:
This is a letter to voice my concern about the learners at Bordeaux Primary School who use the roads in the vicinity of the school.
I use Main Road in the mornings on my way to work in Sandton and several times I have seen children run across the road without regard to the traffic. This very morning, a little girl ran across the road in front of my car just beyond the first speed bump before the school block. She did not cross at the designated pedestrian crossing which has a pedestrian traffic light. Fortunately I was driving reasonably slowly because I am always aware of the fact that there are children on their way to school at that time of the morning but it was obvious that she was not aware of anything but getting across the road.
I called the school this morning and spoke to the principal who appears to be fighting a losing battle with the pupils at the school as well as the parents who don’t always drive responsibly when dropping off or picking up their children, ignoring basic road safety and being abusive towards staff who try to ensure the safety of their children. Apparently the Metro Police keep making empty promises and seldom respond to requests for monitoring Main Street and the side roads.
I am also aware that people using Main Road often break the law and don’t slow down around the school as they should, I’ve even seen people overtake cars that are driving slowly past the school. If you are reading this letter and you are one of these drivers… do you really want an injured or killed child on your conscience?
To any parents of Bordeaux Primary children (and any child at any school anywhere)… it is your responsibility to drill your children regarding road safety.
What is it going to take? A tragedy? Of course if a child does get hurt by a motorist, the parents will be the first to start an outcry. Please don’t let it get that far.
