MMC urges pupils to take selfies in road safety campaign

This as the City of Johannesburg joins international agencies, the private sector and civil society to celebrate the third annual United Nations Global Road Safety Week.

From 4 to 10 May, the City’s department of transport will take the UN campaign, called #SaveKidsLives, to more than 100 primary and high schools around Johannesburg.

Walters called on all Johannesburg residents to get involved in the campaign by creating road safety awareness in their workplaces, homes and communities.

She said, “The campaign is a global platform for the youth to express their road safety concerns and messages… Participation by residents is important as we, in the City of Johannesburg, strive to reduce the high rate of accidents and fatalities on our roads.”

Lerato Mabaso, operations manager in the City’s transport department, said the fun and interactive campaign will include the reading and signing of the child declaration for road safety, which calls for improved child road safety worldwide.

Other activities will include artwork and music, as well as road safety competitions in which learners stand to win fabulous prizes.

Mabaso said, “By adopting the declaration, we as the City, are highlighting the plight of our children on the roads.”

The campaign will also provide learners with information on several key safety issues, such as:

· The importance of wearing a safety belt

· The need for children to be seated while the car is in motion

· The dangers of texting, making a call or listening to music while crossing the road, walking on the pavement or driving

· The dangers of jaywalking and not using robot or pedestrian crossings.

Details: www.savekidslives2015.org, Save Kids Lives Facebook page

Can you think of other safety issues, or of safety tips, concerning children on the roads? Share them with us in the comments below.