South Africans Against Drunk Driving (Sadd) organised an event to commemorate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, at the Garden of Remembrance in Fish Hoek. Pictured is Kommetjie resident Caro Smit, the founder and director of the organisation.
South Africans Against Drunk Driving (Sadd) commemorated World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, at the Garden of Remembrance in Fish Hoek, on Saturday November 5.
The day, held every year on the third Sunday of November, remembers the many millions killed and injured on the world’s roads, together with their families, friends and many others who are also affected.
The event was organised by road-safety activist and Kommetjie resident Caro Smit, who is the founder and director of Sadd, which creates awareness of the drinking and driving problem in South Africa.
Her 23-year-old son, Chas, was killed in September 2005, by a driver who had been drinking. This tragic event inspired her to start the organisation in January 2006.
"The most common cause of death among those aged 5 to 29 is road crashes, which should not be taken lightly,“ Ms Smit said.
Some 300 NGOs around the world worked with the World Health Organization, the UN Road Safety Collaboration and others to “advocate, protest, and demand a safe journey and remember the victims”, she said.
On the day, guests were encouraged to bring photos and flowers in memory of their loved ones, and ward councillor Simon Liell-Cock, who is a member of the City’s urban mobility portfolio spoke at the event.
“The consequences of South Africa’s drunk driving epidemic are felt in every community across the country. Cape Town and Ward 61 are no exception,” Mr Liell-Cock told the Echo.
Sadd is trying to get speeds down to 30km outside schools.