Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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We have a tremendous fatality rate on our roads, and a high percentage of them, especially relative to other countries, are pedestrians. It amazes me how little care a lot of pedestrians take with their own safety. I am not just talking about people dressing in dark clothes in the middle of the night and then walking on the side of the road or those who stagger drunk into the middle of a road – there are types of cases we have dealt with often, but other situations too.
It is amazing how often, if one is passing a taxi which is stationary on the other side of the road in the opposite direction to you, that as you approach the taxi somebody who is obviously just alighted from the taxi will run around the back of the taxi and directly into the path of your vehicle. Pedestrians don’t seem to understand that with the height of the taxi, particularly when it is filled with occupants, one cannot see somebody crossing the road from the opposite end of the taxi and nor, given the way they run into the road, can the pedestrian obviously see the driver of the motor vehicle either! If people took just a little bit more time to wait for the vehicle they just got out of to move on and then cross the road when the path is clear we would have much less pedestrian accidents.
The most common pedestrian cases that we are approached with often involve alcohol, although our clients do not admit it or advise us of it initially, where they seem to have staggered into the road and we’ve also had numerous cases over the years of people either getting into or out of taxis, including those who have fallen when the taxi has started moving as they are still getting out of the vehicle. You can read more about the case studies of the various cases we have been involved in on our website www.accidentclaim.co.za.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 29-Jan-14
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Comments
Caron said:
on Monday 03-Feb-14 09:18 AM
Don't drink and walk
Don't text and walk
Sheena said:
on Monday 03-Feb-14 07:54 AM
One must be very vigilant while driving pedestrians don't seem to know the road rules they just run in front of your car and then expect you not to run them over.
Cindy said:
on Friday 31-Jan-14 03:39 PM
Pedestrians think the roads belong to them!! They even run over highways and think that you should swerve out for them at a speed of 120 km/h!
Thabitha said:
on Friday 31-Jan-14 02:19 PM
I always say people are not scared of the cars but scared of the cow.
Tersia said:
on Friday 31-Jan-14 01:28 PM
There was once on Carte Blanche a story about pedestrians who cross the high way and walk in front of trucks. They just don't care, they really don't value their lives. But then again, I feel its not only pedestrians. Motor vehicles and trucks as well do what they want on the road. They as least should also be careful and think of other people who uses the roads.
Henrietta said:
on Friday 31-Jan-14 12:09 PM
I agree pedestrians should look out more. It's not just their life who will be affected, think about the driver. If e.g. a car hit you and you die even though it is your fault that driver will forever remember that he killed a person whether by accident or not. This guilt can take over you whole life, we need to be more careful if you are a driver or a pedestrian.
Joyce said:
on Friday 31-Jan-14 11:40 AM
I think some pedestrians just not scared of motor vehicles on roads
Bianca said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 03:50 PM
Nothing more frustrating than a pedestrian walking over the highway, i really don't think there is a reasonable answer why they would do that. My worst fear ever!
Sorea said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 03:25 PM
Pedestrians forget that there is nothing between themselves and the road / car coming towards them. At least in a car you have some steel between yourself and the environment.
Angelique said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 09:06 AM
Our Government need to invest in more pavements and people need to be educated on road safety. Parents need to educate their children. It just saddens me to see a little 6 year old walking down Jan Smuts to get to Rosebank Primary with no adult around - It just spells trouble. Our robots need to work properly - I must say that the pedestrian light goes off far too quickly. Crossing a road myself is something I don't enjoy.
Bianca R said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 09:00 AM
Most pedestrians do not understand or acknowledge the fact that they can be run over by a motor vehicle or a motorcycle. It sometimes seems that they do not care. For a driver this is extremely concerning because your life is also at risk... You really do have to think for everyone else that shares the road with you.
Brenda said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 08:58 AM
Pedestrians can be a pest to any motorist, because like it was stated in the previous comments they have no regard to the rules of the road, they expect you to stop for them, and its almost as if they go out of their way to show you that they will run in front of your vehicle. I had a guy once wait until i was very close and then he decided to bolt in front of my vehicle. The sad thing is that when you hoot profusely they think its a big joke. I have no time for people who play with their lives and even less time for people who play with mine, because although i am in a closed vehicle, the impact of hitting a pedestrian at a speed can be fatal to both parties. Unfortunately there is no strict law against jay walking anymore and pedestrians have no respect or consideration to oncoming vehicles whatsoever anymore.,,,, Until that dark day!!
Nicolle said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 08:48 AM
Pe-Dead-Strians is all I have to say about that.
Juliet said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 08:44 AM
In South Africa, road safety should be a module in the Life Orientation subject at school and should cover topics like how to cross a road safely. Also, the government who cares so deeply about its' citizens should build some pavements for them to walk on. When I was in Barcelona I couldn't believe how wide the pedestrian and cyclist pathways were. They are so well looked after and it really builds a sense of community with everyone walking and cycling safely to their destinations instead of every person being couped up alone in their own car building up the traffic because we have no decent public transport and no pavements.
Jade said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 08:18 AM
My mother hit a man a few years ago. He was dressed in black and stumbled drunk out into the road from behind a bush. They were both unscathed, but it so easily could have ended like so many similiar incidences have, with death. And knowing my mom, this would have haunted her for years despite it not being her fault in any way.
I don't know what would resolve this situation, perhaps better infrastructure where there are bigger paths for pedestrians with railings, better public transport eliminating taxis that stop anywhere and everywhere and perhaps compulsory road traffic safety education for all at an early age.
Zelda said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 07:35 AM
I agree i really think pedestrians should look before crossing the road. I think that some of them think that we have to stop for them...In December i was in Cape Town and on the news they reported that approximately 94 people have died on the roads in the first 2 weeks of December and 88 of those people were pedestrians. Its unbelievable to think that people would walk in the middle of the road at night when clearly that is what sidewalks are made for.
Alexis said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 07:31 AM
People take chances with crossing the road. So much simpler to just go to a stop street or robot - simple. And half the time they do cross they take their sweet time, just move their bodies in such a way that they are running whilst actually still walking. The other day I saw a mother and child walking and the child was on the road dawdling, while the mother just carried on. Does not matter where you stay - cars kill either way and you need to open your eyes and think about safety
Brumilde said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 07:30 AM
The problem is that pedestrians think they can cross wherever they want and the cars must watch out for them. We drive on the N3 south everyday (this is a busy highway) and the people cross all the time. you actually have to be more aware of them then the cars around you
Lorette said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 07:28 AM
I have to agree with Safia, more paths should definitely be build to make the life's of pedestrians better. Not everyone are as privileged to be taken to school/ work in a motor vehicle.
Yolandi P said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 06:26 AM
The worst for me is the pedestrians crossing the highway, especially on the N14. I think its ridiculous that people just run over a road the has cars travelling at speeds of 120-160km/h. To top it all off we as motorist get the signs on the side of the highway telling us to be aware of the pedestrians. What a joke!
david said:
on Wednesday 29-Jan-14 06:07 AM
i ride a motorcycle and pedestrians are my worst fear and biggest hate. In terms of south african law, when the traffic is at a standstill, motorcycles are allowed to filter through the traffic and proceed to the stop line at the intersection. This is to alleviate additional congestion.
over the years i have connected 4 pedestrians. they simply wander into the street and between the motor vehicles without looking, and without a worry in the world. Let me tell you, hitting a pedestrian hurts like hell, and means that you and your bike are going 'over', and sliding along the tar...
I have learnt to look over the roofs of cars, keep a keen eye on taxi doors - which open anytime, anywhere, and look 'through' higher vehicles windows, so as to see if any pedestrians are going to 'attempt suicide by motorcycle'. When i notice them about to cross my path, i slow down, and as they step in front of me hoot and rev the bike all about 1 cm from them. it really is hysterical to see them leap and run in shock. I like to think of it as changing hearts and minds one by one.
it makes me wonder what parents teach their children. as a child i was not allowed to cross the road unaccompanied until i was 10 or 11. I was taught to look left and right and left again before crossing. to cross briskly without running, and that getting hit by a vehicle meant a beating from my parent at the least, and most likely, certain death.
Safia said:
on Tuesday 28-Jan-14 09:35 PM
I agree, very often pedestrians can be negligent.but i also observe little school children walking on very dangerous parts of the road to school,cute kids with their school bags,balancing on side of the road where there is no pedestrian path,putting themselves in danger as majority of drivers have no consideration about some other kids but their own,who sit at the back playing i pads in comfort of air conditioned luxury.this country treats pedestrians like third degree citizens and children have to walk on roads with a heavy traffic to get to schools. There must be more paths built for pedestrians and more bridges and tunnels to cross roads .
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
