SA test drives new road safety campaign
The road safety campaign is a cost-effective means of increasing visible policing on our country's roads
IN a bid to curb the high level of road fatalities in South Africa, especially during holiday periods, cardboard cop cars were recently erected on major routes around Pretoria.
The initiative was rolled out by Tshwane Metro Police Department in the run up to the Easter holidays and its aim was to fool speeding motorists into thinking they would be trapped.
The campaign is also aimed at altering driver behaviour by making them aware of the speeds at which they are travelling.
The cardboard cut outs were placed on the N1 between Pretoria and Bela Bela, and on the N4 toll route.
If it has the desired effect, the initiative may be rolled out countrywide.
Arrive Alive has given the initiative the thumbs-up and there has also been a positive response from motorists.
‘On the Arrive Alive website, we plead for visible and effective traffic enforcement. Even though this may not be what we have referred to, it may be a worthwhile initiative to remind road users to obey the rules of the road all the time, whether there is actual enforcement or just a reminder of such possible enforcement’.
People interviewed said the campaign has encouraged them to be more aware of the speeds at which they travel, and to be more alert when on the road.
While this initiative may be new to South Africa, it has proved successful in other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom, as a cost-effective way to increase traffic police visibility on our country’s roads.
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