Is it driver recklessness, negligence, inattentiveness, lack of law enforcement, pure stupidity or because Danny Cat disappeared?
The disregarding of traffic lights in Nelson Mandela Bay is concerning. Whether you drive in Caledon Street in Uitenhage, Main Street Despatch, Matanzima Road in KwaNobuhle or Cape Road in Port Elizabeth, it seems that wherever you go, there is an increasing number of drivers ignoring red traffic lights.
Then there are the green light anticipators, who when the traffic light is still red for them, slowly creep into the intersection. Really? As if this will get you there more quickly wherever you want to go.
So, you get the red light jumpers and the green light creepers who will with perfect fatal timing, meet one another by accident. And this may also injure law-abiding road users.
A green traffic light in Nelson Mandela Bay does not mean it is safe to cross the intersection. Rather do the Danny Cat or Daantjie Kat road safety moves of checking left, right and left again.
Perhaps the green light creepers and red light jumpers are the generation who were never educated by Danny Cat or others in legal and proper traffic manners?
Years ago the Danny Cat Club/Daantjie Kat-klub played a major role in educating children about road safety. This educational program, created with young children in mind, taught children through edutainment about road safety and being safe on the roads.
Arrive Alive has listed tips on what to do when approaching an intersection:
- Think about what other drivers might do as you approach intersections, particularly when you are altering your path approaching an intersection
- Do not speed at intersections – a driver driving too fast when approaching a crossing, may not be able to stop completely when necessary
- Drive defensively, anticipating problems and situations with heightened caution and attention
- Be patient – impatience increases emotions and decreases attention.
