A new Junior Traffic Training Centre was officially opened in Ottery with the main purpose to educate children about road safety from an early age.

Through the partnership between the City of Cape Town, Syntell, Hosken Consolidated Investments and Golden Arrow, the training centre was successfully launched on Thursday, 28 February at the Hillstar Traffic Department in Ottery. Twenty four thousand children from 200 schools will benefit from the facilities at the centre. It will cater for Grade 1 to Grade 3 learners and aims to create road safety awareness, by being encouraged from an early age to recognise the Importance of safe and responsible behaviour on the roads. There will also be programmes such as bicycle courses and learner’s ilcence programmes for Grade 12 children.

Searle Johannes, spokesperson for the traffic department says, “The project forms part of the Cape Town Traffic Services mandate and vision to ensure the safe passage of all road users through education.” He says the learners will be able to use the facility at least twice a week.

John Dammert of the Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) says GABS is very excited to part of this initiative.

“The road safety programme will form part of the GABS Adventure Bus Programme which is principally operated with the Grassroots Educare Trust and been in operation for some 20 years through which 500 000 children have benefited.”

GABS will transport the learners to and from the centre.

Source: The People’s Post Retreat – Tanya Petersen