21 Dec 2014

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has pleaded with drivers to avoid alcohol while driving during this festive season.

Minister Mabeo made the remarks in Kumakwane on December 18 following a donation of food hampers to the elders.

He said although it was legal to drive as long as the alcohol content in the body did not exceed the required limit, that had not worked for the country. “Those who will be driving, I plead with you not to drink at all,” Mr Mabeo who is also the Member of Parliament for Thamaga-Kumakwane said.

He said drinking and driving led to alcohol impaired driving which remains one of the challenges in this country. Mr Mabeo said that every year, many lives were lost on road accidents and added that alcohol consumption contributed to that problem.

Nevertheless, he said there were responsible drivers who never want to drive while under the influence of alcohol. He added that drunken drivers endanger their own lives and that of other road users and added that staying sober during the period could reduce the number of road accidents and fatal injuries on the road.

The minister added that government spends a lot of money on the effects of road accidents. He also added that such include repairing of infrastructures such as traffic lights and as well as rehabilitation of those affected by road accidents.

Botswana Police Service statistics shows that during last year’s festive season, about 667 road accidents were recorded. While 373 drivers were charged for driving under the influence of alcohol, 20 fatalities due to road accidents were recorded. ENDS