On 3 November 2022, the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) launched a new Junior Traffic Training Centre (JTTC) at Wesley Primary School in Salt River. The launch took place in partnership with the Western Cape Education Department, and City of Cape Town Traffic. The event was also attended by principals of nearby schools and local business owners. The new JTTC is part of the DTPW Road Safety Management (RSM) Directorate’s ongoing commitment to enable young children – one of the most vulnerable road user groups – to learn good road safety behaviour in a safe play environment.
There are approximately 400 learners at the school. These learners are exposed to the following traffic hazards every day:
- Motorists not respecting pedestrians’ right of way at the pedestrian crossing
- High traffic volumes, both vehicle and pedestrian,
- Many public transport vehicles, and
- Learners having to cross a wide road after learner transport vehicles drop them off on the far side of the road.
JTTCs are implemented by RSM on behalf of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). The target group is children aged six to 10 years. The aim is to teach primary school learners good road safety habits in a play environment in which they are not exposed to real-life traffic hazards.
JTTCs can also be established at places where communities have free access, such as clinics, and Thusong and community centres. RSM will supply the paint, brushes, mini road signs and other equipment needed once a request for the establishment of a JTTC has been approved. RSM works closely with the local traffic authority, in this case, the City of Cape Town. Traffic authorities are largely responsible for providing road safety education and training at JTCCs.