Eyes in front please

Julie Neighbourly Lead from Havelock North

Good evening everyone. This is tonight’s public safety notice.

Please, please, please, when driving, Watch where you are going, not where you’ve been. And be aware, there is a pedestrian crossing at the Campbell St end of the New World carpark.

Today I got hit by a van, while crossing the pedestrian crossing, with my son. I’m not hurt, just a few bumps and bruises, and an ache or 5, but it could have been much worse. I had to shove my son out of the path of the van, because the driver was looking left, as she pulled out of the carpark, and turned right, straight into the pedestrian crossing, and us.

Statistically, if it had been a car, I’d have ended up a lot worse than just shaken and stirred. But a van, with no protruding engine block, at that speed, was like hitting the ground, hard.

So, when you are driving, please watch in front, and be aware of everyone and everything around you, especially around pedestrian crossings.

Be safe.