Volunteers from Windvogel in the northern suburbs have taken pedestrian safety in Stanford Road into their own hands due to concerns about reckless driving, particularly by taxi operators.
The group of 12 dedicated parent volunteers has been manning a dangerous pedestrian crossing for the past seven months, following a series of serious accidents, including one fatality.
“There have been many accidents on Stanford Road; it is a very dangerous road,” said Tyrone Matick, a grandparent and volunteer with the group, speaking to PE Express.
The volunteer initiative was sparked by two serious incidents earlier this year. In February, a woman was allegedly fatally struck whilst using a pedestrian crossing in Stanford Road, Cleary Park. Then on 12 May, a child was knocked down and hospitalised while crossing near Republiek Primary School.
“There have been a couple of accidents at the pedestrian crossing,” Matick explained. “At Cleary Park, further up the road, a lady was knocked down and killed on a pedestrian crossing in February. And on 12 May, a child was knocked down and taken to hospital whilst walking on the pedestrian crossing close to Republiek Primary School.”
The Windvogel Stanford Road Walking Bus Volunteers work daily shifts from 06:30 to 08:30 each morning, helping school children cross the busy road after several incidents highlighted an urgent need for intervention.
“Taxi drivers don’t care about our children crossing the roads, so we as parents and the community have taken the initiative,” Matick said. The afternoon shift also sees volunteers present, alongside parents making their way to work, maintaining the safety presence throughout key school travel times.
“The taxi drivers and a few motorists speed up the road, but since we have been here, we have been trying to get them to slow down.”
The group has received community support, with two individuals, Christian Martin and Keith Prinsloo, sponsoring reflective jackets for all volunteers to ensure they are visible to oncoming traffic.
“If you see us, please slow down because there are many children crossing the road, especially in the morning. Our request is to please respect the volunteers,” Matick appealed.
The volunteers also noted that traffic officials are allegedly not always present at the crossing, sometimes arriving late or leaving early, which increases both congestion and risk to pedestrians.
Urgent appeal to motorists
The volunteers have issued an urgent appeal to all road users, specifically targeting vehicle owners, truck operators, taxi associations, and Algoa Bus and Booysen Park taxi drivers.
Their key requests include reducing speed when approaching the Windvogel pedestrian crossing, exercising caution, particularly when traffic officials are not present, and recognising that these children could be anyone’s own family members.
The volunteers are also asking for additional support from local businesses and the broader community, particularly for unemployed volunteers who could benefit from reflective cones, white gloves, food parcels, or small stipends.
“By investing in this initiative, you are sowing seeds of safety and hope for the future of our children,” the group stated.
