Date: 2025-10-29 08:47:14

City Moves To Improve Pedestrian Safety Amid Rising Fatalities

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY MOVES TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AMID RISING FATALITIES

Over the next five years, eThekwini Municipality has set aside R27 million to ensure that roads around the Durban City Hall are safer for both motorists and pedestrians.  

This investment forms part of the City’s broader strategy to reduce pedestrian fatalities in the Durban Central Business District (CBD).

Over the past five years, 153 pedestrians have died in road crashes within the CBD, prompting urgent intervention by the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) and other City directorates. 

The initiative addresses persistent issues in the CBD such as red-light violations, speeding, reckless driving, illegal parking, and jaywalking, which continue to contribute to the high accident rate.

To curb these challenges, ETA is implementing a series of infrastructure upgrades and awareness campaigns aimed at improving pedestrian safety and reducing traffic-related deaths in high-risk areas.

Key infrastructure projects include raised intersections and pedestrian crossings to slow down vehicles, kerb extensions (pedestrian nibs) to improve visibility and shorten crossing distances, and upgrades aligned with the International Road Assessment Programme to meet a minimum three-star safety rating.

The rollout of these projects will begin in January 2026.

In addition to the physical interventions, ETA will continue to implement targeted pedestrian safety campaigns focusing on safe crossing practices and responsible road use. 

These campaigns will include media outreach, community activations, and interactive education programmes linked to the new infrastructure.

The latest interventions build on a series of pedestrian safety initiatives already undertaken during Transport Month.

The City is calling on residents, motorists, and pedestrians to play their part in promoting road safety and helping create a safer, more inclusive urban environment.

ENDS

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.