10 Mar 2013

Kutlwano police station traffic officer, Assistant Superintendent Oduetse Mosweu has said that pedestrian crossings are important to all road users.

He said these crossings were usually situated where many people crossed over from one area to another.

“This does not mean that wherever there is a pedestrian crossing, pedestrians can jump into the road and cross but check if there are no vehicles coming their way,” he said.

Ast Supt Mosweu said where pedestrians showed up, drivers should stop for them to cross over. He said most pedestrians understood the use of the crossing, although there some did not use it properly.

“Some pedestrians decide to pass beside it though they have been taught at primary level how this crossing works,” said Ast Supt Mosweu.

He said some drivers were ignored the pedestrian crossing just like they did with other road signs.

“We charge such drivers for not obeying traffic rules and there are some accidents which happen right at the pedestrian crossing though they are not regular,” added Ast Supt Mosweu.

Pedestrians argued that drivers did not give them a chance to use the crossing and it was difficult to use it especially where there were no traffic lights.

“Some drivers are selfish and they think we are a waste of time as pedestrians,” complained Ms Pinky Meno, who is a pedestrian and a resident of Francistown. She said she was nearly hit by a car twice right at a pedestrian crossing point.

Drivers as well complain that pedestrians never checked if it was their turn to use the road but only rushed in to cross over.

A bus driver, Mr Glen Manyaza said pedestrians needed to be taught about the use of the crossing.

A coordinator at Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS), Mr Azwani Machola said they always conducted workshops especially with youth to teach them about traffic rules.

“We prepare a workshop of which we have a target group we want to cover and do campaigns as well,” said Machola.

Mr Machola said they tried by all means as DRTS to teach the public about road safety . ENDS