Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I believe that we have the craziest pedestrians in the world in South Africa. I have not been all over the world and I have not driven in places like Pakistan and India, two of the few countries in the world that are apparently worse than South Africa when it comes to driving. I will say though that it never ceases to amaze me when I am driving around Johannesburg that pedestrians seem to feel it is safe to cross the road at any point. That includes running across major highways dressed all in black in the middle of the night and crossing busy roads at all times of the night wearing the darkest clothes imaginable.
It is no wonder that about one-third of fatalities and accidents are pedestrians and that there are so many pedestrian claims against the Road Accident Fund. We really need people to be much more educated and disciplined about crossing the road and crossing the road at a safe place. I know even some of my staff take a chance crossing Jan Smuts Avenue, which is actually easier to cross than some of the roads, at the wrong place. Personally I would walk down to the robot 100 metres from our office and get to the shops that way because you will reduce your risk of dying by doing that. The pedestrians are absolutely crazy and we have to get the death toll down, not only for actual car accidents, but for those involving pedestrians as well.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 30-Sep-16
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Comments
Juliet said:
on Tuesday 18-Oct-16 12:52 PM
I find the pedestrians in South Africa are very arrogant and want to show you who is boss. I mean, I am in the steel vehicle that is going to kill you and you walk so slowly in front of me i.e. I must slow down you are busy walking. When it should really be that they must cross at the robot not obstruct the cars. I have said many times before that road safety should be taught from Grade 1. Learners should be taught how to look left and right, how to read a traffic light etc. I was on the roads in India and it was terrifying! No care for speed or traffic rules! What a crazy crazy place. One taxi driver even wanted to take us home to his wife for tea at 11pm.
Sandra said:
on Monday 17-Oct-16 01:33 PM
Padestrians can get so irritating. You will be driving in the middle of the highway and then you suddenly see that the padestrian is running right in front of you!Stricter rules should apply to padestrians as well as the rights thereof
Sarah said:
on Wednesday 12-Oct-16 04:45 PM
I agree Pedestrians cross where they not suppose to cross, like highways etc. They take their time crossing just run across the road without looking.
Melissa P said:
on Monday 10-Oct-16 04:12 PM
This is a very big problem. Especially in Johannesburg CBD near court. It's crazy busy. People running up and down the streets and cars skipping robots. You have to be extremely focussed when driving.
Helen said:
on Friday 07-Oct-16 10:08 AM
I think the problem is that there are not so many bridges and pedestrian's walking places on South African's roads, There are so many roads and all of them always are so busy. In the rural arias pure pedestrians will just run and will not worry much about their own safety. I red in one article that African people has disorder of measuring distance, I would say that it can be also one of the reason why they get killed on the roads.
Mathilda said:
on Wednesday 05-Oct-16 07:19 AM
I totally agree that South Africa has the crazies pedestrians, not one day goes by that you do not hear on the radio that a pedestrian has been knocked down on some Highway, and the funny thing is they have pedestrian bridges to cross the highway...
But I guess everyone is in a hurry to get where they need to be, everyone should just take a step back and choose between getting wherever they need to be safe or trying to get there quicker and dying in the process
Angelique P said:
on Wednesday 05-Oct-16 07:12 AM
Pedestrians are so reckless when it comes to crossing roads especially on the highway.
They cross the road where it is the busiest because they are too lazy to walk 100 meters on where it is saver to cross the road.
People just do what they want and dont care about others.
Nicolle said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 04:51 PM
Don't you love how pedestrians, especially in the CBD and super busy suburb, just strut around as if they aren't the ones who WILL IN FACT DIE if they are struck by a car. Then again, I've been told I'm quite paranoid, overly cautious and dramatic. I do however find it quite amusing how angry drivers become. #SayNoToRoadRage #JustSaying #AllLivesMatter
Prishani said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 04:24 PM
I think no matter where you are crossing you always have to be safe, triple check that it is safe to do so, drivers also have to be cautious,especially when entering into areas that are known to have plenty pedestrians crossing at any time, most of the time the pedestrian is wrong, but as a driver rather save yourself the drama and just be careful.
Henrietta said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 04:19 PM
Pedestrians are chancers and we don't understand how easily one's life can be taken. Not just the life pedestrians but also the driver. We drove one night and almost did not see the person crossing the highway. It was so dark and not a crossing for pedestrians so not something a driver think to look out for. Lucky there were no cars lane next to us to us and we were able to swerved out in time.
Zanell said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 04:05 PM
I think pedestrians who run across the road think that cars will slow down for them. I always freak out and hoot at pedestrians in JHB CBD because they always run across the road and never cross at the robots.
Bianca said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 03:47 PM
The pedestrians in Johannesburg are absolutely mad to say the least, on Friday I saw a pedestrian who had been knocked down by a car and a few metres away more pedestrians running across the road when it certainly was NOT safe to do so! Our pedestrians like to live on the edge, excuse the pun.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 02:18 PM
Having traveled extensively in Africa, South Africa is merely the tip of the ice berg. Egypt is quite horrendous and there is very little space for cars to maneuver on public roads.That being said, a higher degree of vigilance should be exercised by both pedestrians and motorists.
Daniella said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 10:40 AM
Pedestrians like taking risks, and some of them don't run across the road they will walk and expect you to slow down, people need to start being educated on safety and awareness, and not just to look left, right, and left again.
Melissa said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 08:19 AM
I have to agree about pedestrians and the numerous accidents that cause them. You see on a daily basis a lot of them will even go as far as to cross a busy highway and then wonder why they are involved in the accident. There should be stricter measures involving pedestrians and where they can cross and not cross to lessen the accident amounts.
Kaylee said:
on Monday 03-Oct-16 08:56 AM
This is so true! I find it incredibly difficult to drive especially in the CBD as you have to be so alert all the time not to run someone over! I do have to say though that I think Thailand is worse! People walk everywhere and animals run in the road and no one wears helmets! Its crazy
Sally said:
on Monday 03-Oct-16 08:31 AM
Pedestrian crossings is being ignored by pedestrians as well as by motorists. It is not necessarily save to cross at a pedestrian crossing as some motorists especially taxis just ignore the crossing and even the red robots. Pedestrians have a difficult task to stay alive if motorists is not also being more careful.
Andre said:
on Sunday 02-Oct-16 03:15 AM
I am one of the motorcyclists which was injured in the accident where a pedestrian died by getting run over while attempting to recover the lotto ticket which he lost on the highway this occurred on the 24/09/16 just before the Rivonia Road off ramp around midday. His actions caused myself and my other biker friend some serious injuries I have been in hospital ever since still awaiting surgery. This incident could of been avoided by simply not running onto a busy highway.The outcome was death, damage to several other cars, physical injuries, pain, therapy and rehab sessions, loss of transport which will effect my job... I know this sounds harsh but pedestrians who get caught after surviving running over busy highways should be handed a jail sentence similar to that of pre-meditated murder.
Sinead said:
on Friday 30-Sep-16 04:41 PM
I have to agree with you. Pedestrians are so bad on the roads. Know where and when to walk! And do not walk in the road! There are pavements for a reason...
Yes I am also a pedestrian when I cross Jan Smuts Avenue, but I know how to walk across the road...
Joyce said:
on Friday 30-Sep-16 04:36 PM
I think some pedestrians are not scared of getting injured or killed by a car, they cross at a no pedestrian crossing area with earphones on their ears.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Friday 30-Sep-16 02:40 PM
I completely agree, some pedestrians just think they own the road. What is worse is when they cross at the wrong time then still stroll.
I do not like Jan Smuts for crossing one bit but don't kid yourself robots mean nothing to inconsiderate taxi drivers - you aren't even safe on pavements against those drivers. I am just extra careful with pedestrians because I would not beable to deal if I bumped a pedestrian; highway or not.
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!
