08 Jul 2014

A resident of Tutume Mr Balisi Paledi has a law prohibiting drivers to drive their vehicles to drinking places.Mr Paledi said this was because a high number of severe road accidents were as result of drunken driving.

He made the suggestion during the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund consultative forum in Tutume over the weekend (July 5-6). 

He noted that most of the drivers are negligent on the roads after taking alcohol to the extent that they do not consider speed limits or road signs.

He therefore proposed that vehicles should be prohibited at drinking places, since it will force drivers to take public transport to their places when they have had enough and when bars are closed.

The resident further noted that the majority of drivers were only afraid of traffic officers, whilst ordinary police officers appeared to have no impact on drivers.

Mr Paledi suggested that despite their designated duties, all police officers should be in a position to take action against drivers who do not abide by traffic regulations.

Another participant, Mr Bernard Shubu was also of the view that MVA Fund together with other stakeholders should sensitise road users on the importance of removing dead animals on the roads knocking them.

He noted that leaving such animals on the roads has proved to be hazardous to other road users since some people get involved in accidents because of such animals.

He further pointed out that bushes along the roads were not being cleared on time, particularly after the rainturnout to be a hindrance to drivers’ view hence resulting in accidents.

For his part, MVA fund’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Thabo Morotsi said they believe in taking services to their clients in order for them to consult and get feedback from them.

He said road accidents are still very high and are as a result of road users’ behaviour on the roads and there was need to improve the situation by encouraging behavioural change for all road users.

Mr Morotsi stated that through the consultative forums with their stakeholders, they seek proposals and suggestions, which they can adopt and use to send awareness messages to the public as road users and appealed to them to make use of their social network pages to share their ideas. ENDS