07 Apr 2014

Senior Superintendent Pelontle Kesupile says statistics indicate that road carnages mostly involve the youth.

Speaking at the Month of Youth against Road Accidents (MYRA) event organised by the Botswana National Youth Council and the Motor Vehicles Accident Fund over the weekend, Snr Supt Kesupile said since the beginning of this year, 212 accidents happened and out of them 134 involved the youth.

He said in 2012 and 2013, out of a total of 1 087 accidents related to alcohol occurred and 728 of them involved the youth. Snr Supt Kesupile said between January and March this year, nine youth out of 20 died as a result of road accidents while in the past two years out of 237 fatalities a total of 159 involved the youth.

He said the statistics indicated that road safety was a national priority and therefore all stakeholders should work collectively and put their resources in affirming a safe and better life on the roads.

Snr Supt Kesupile commended the Botswana National Youth Council and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund for their collaborative effort in educating the youth on road safety.

Northern Auto Service Centre official, Mr Mphaphi Mathangwane called on the youth to be part of the solution to the problem of road accidents.

Mr Mathangwane observed that the availability of import vehicles had contributed to the increase in road accidents as they were affordable and easy to get. He said in order to prevent road accidents; drivers should regularly maintain their vehicles and change tyres after purchase of the imports.

He noted that there was need to change tyres as temperatures in Botswana were high than those of the countries where the vehicles originated. BNYC District officer, Mr Emmanuel Galeboe said the event was aimed at bringing together stakeholders and changing youth attitude towards road accidents.

Mr Galeboe said the event would not only strengthen relationship between stakeholders but would also grant them opportunity to bring ideas that could help in addressing the problem of road accidents. The day’s theme was “Safer Roads and Mobility by 2020.” Ends