Traffic officers hop on bus to champion pedestrian safety
In the photo: GO GEORGE bus stops are built close to pedestrian crossings as possible.
Commuters may be surprised to find traffic officers riding alongside them on GO GEORGE buses this December — but it’s all part of a creative new campaign to keep pedestrians safe during the busy holiday season.
Starting 2 December 2025, GO GEORGE and the Traffic Education Unit of the George Traffic Department will join forces to raise awareness about pedestrian safety, focusing on the thousands of passengers who use the bus service daily. With holidaymakers flocking to George and unfamiliar visitors navigating in-lane bus stops, the risk of jaywalking and unsafe crossings increases significantly.
The campaign responds to the high incidence of pedestrian accidents in South Africa, many linked to ignoring traffic rules. Locally, officials have observed risky behaviour when passengers approach or disembark buses, despite ongoing education efforts. The initiative will highlight the importance of setting a good example for children, who often mirror adult behaviour in traffic situations.
For 10 days in December, three dedicated traffic officials will travel on morning-peak buses, sharing short, practical safety messages with passengers. They will be supported by GO GEORGE’s communication champions, who will reinforce the messages at busy transfer points such as York, Hibernia, Cradock and Market Streets. To add extra energy, the much-loved traffic safety mascot, Danny Cat, will make surprise appearances at transfer locations, delighting children and adults alike.
George Traffic Chief Janine Wells welcomed the collaboration: “We are thrilled to be working hand-in-hand with GO GEORGE on this important initiative. The enthusiasm and smooth cooperation between our teams show how committed we all are to protecting lives. By meeting passengers where they are — on the buses and at busy stops — we can make safety messages practical, memorable, and effective.”
GO GEORGE Manager, Morné Lakay, emphasised the importance of this educational initiative. “We appeal to passengers to ‘lend an ear’ and take note of the information that will be shared in the interest of a safer pedestrian environment around our buses and transfer facilities.”
With a target of reaching 2 000 passengers and pedestrians during the campaign, GO GEORGE and George Traffic Services are determined to make this festive season safer for everyone on the move.
Verkeersbeamptes ry bus om voetgangerveiligheid te bevorder
Pendelaars mag dalk verbaas wees om gedurende Desember verkeersbeamptes saam met hulle op GO GEORGE-busse te sien ry. Dit is egter alles deel van ‘n kreatiewe nuwe veldtog om voetgangers veilig te hou gedurende die besige vakansieseisoen.
Vanaf 2 Desember 2025 gaan GO GEORGE en die Verkeersopvoedingseenheid van die George Verkeersdepartement saamwerk om bewustheid oor voetgangerveiligheid te verhoog, met die fokus op die duisende passasiers wat daagliks die busdiens gebruik. Met vakansiegangers wat na George stroom en onbekende besoekers wat om bushaltes in die rybaan moet ry, neem die risiko van straat oorsteek en onveilige kruisings aansienlik toe.
Die veldtog reageer op die hoë voorkoms van voetgangerongelukke in Suid-Afrika, waarvan baie gekoppel is aan die verontagsaming van verkeersreëls. Plaaslik neem verkeersbeamptes riskante gedrag waar wanneer passasiers busse nader of afklim, ten spyte van voortdurende opvoedingspogings. Hierdie inisiatief sal die belangrikheid beklemtoon om ‘n goeie voorbeeld te stel vir kinders wat dikwels volwasse gedrag in verkeersituasies naboots.
Vir 10 dae in Desember sal drie aangewese verkeersbeamptes tydens oggendspitstyd saamry op busse en kort, praktiese veiligheidsboodskappe met passasiers deel. Hulle sal ondersteun word deur GO GEORGE se passasiersdiensbeamptes wat die boodskappe by besige oorklimpunte in York-, Hibernia-, Cradock- en Markstraat sal versterk. Om ekstra energie by te voeg, sal Daantjie Kat, die geliefde karakter wat kinders meer oor verkeersveiligheid leer, onverwagse draaitjies maak by oorklimpunte om kinders en volwassenes te vermaak.
George-verkeershoof, Janine Wells, het die samewerking verwelkom: “Ons is opgewonde om hand aan hand met GO GEORGE aan hierdie belangrike inisiatief te werk. Die entoesiasme en gladde samewerking tussen ons spanne wys hoe toegewyd ons almal is om lewens te beskerm. Deur passasiers te ontmoet waar hulle is — op die busse en by besige haltes — kan ons veiligheidsboodskappe prakties, onvergeetlik en effektief oordra.”
GO GEORGE-bestuurder, Morné Lakay, het die belangrikheid van hierdie opvoedkundige inisiatief beklemtoon. “Ons doen ‘n beroep op passasiers om aandag te gee en kennis te neem van die inligting wat gedeel sal word in die belang van ‘n veiliger voetgangeromgewing rondom ons busse en oordragfasiliteite.”
Met ‘n doelwit om 2 000 passasiers en voetgangers tydens die veldtog te bereik, is GO GEORGE en die George-verkeersdepartement vasbeslote om hierdie feestyd veiliger te maak vir almal op straat.
