The road safety of pedestrians is a key issue South Africa, contributing a national average of
40% of all road fatalities in the country. The image for the Western Cape is even more dire,
with an average of 51.43% of road fatalities between 2021 and 2023 within the province
being pedestrians. Of these pedestrian road fatalities, children between the ages of 0 to 14
years contribute 15.53% (RTMC, 2023). This highlights the need for effective road safety
implementations, traffic calming, and non-motorised transport (NMT) infrastructure,
particularly surrounding schools.
Following the Buttskop level crossing incident in Blackheath, Cape Town, which claimed the
lives of 9 scholars on their way to school, the Safer Journeys to School programme was
started. The goal of this project is to transform the scholar transport sector and prioritises
road safety and accountability.
As part of the Safer Journeys to Schools programme, along with Western Cape Government
and the Cape Winelands District Municipality, HHO was appointed as part of the team to
improve the non-motorised transport (NMT) facilities surrounding Pioneer School for the
Visually Impaired alongside Universal Accessibility specialist consultants.
This project encompassed the design and construction of several raised intersections and
raised pedestrian crossings surrounding the school, along with universal accessibility
considerations such as tactile paving and handrails to ensure that the infrastructure is safe
and usable for all road users. Additional traffic calming was also provided within the area to
ensure safe vehicle traffic operating speeds surrounding the school.
In May 2025 HHO was proud to join Minister Isaac Sileku, the Western Cape Government
Minister of Mobility, in presenting the completed project. This project not only serves to the
benefit of the children of Pioneers School, but also enhances general road safety in the area
for broader community.