In terms of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, Regulation 323, no person is allowed on the highway on foot.
That means that it is absolutely illegal for a pedestrian to run across the highway.
40% of all road traffic accidents in South Africa involve pedestrian fatalities; and thus it is apparent that this legislation has been enacted for our own safety.
Unfortunately, rules can’t save rule-breakers – as one female pedestrian found out on December 27, 2018.
At approximately 20:00, a female pedestrian dressed in dark grey clothing was struck and hit by a vehicle whilst attempting to cross the highway close to KG Mall.
The impact with which she was struck was so great that it flung her out of some items of her clothing.
The woman was sadly dead on impact.
Although the law failed to protect this particular pedestrian, residents of eMalahleni are urged to only cross the highway in a lawful manner; at a pedestrian bridge or designated crossing.
