16 Apr 2015

Staying safe on the road is important and everyone’s responsibility which should be promoted at all times, yet some people still lag behind in carrying out this important exercise resulting in accidents that usually claim precious and productive lives.

In a bid to sensitise Batswana on how to stay safe on the road and avoid traffic accidents that have killed and affected many, Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund customer service officer, Mr Michael Molebo said on average Botswana recorded 18 169 crashes each year. 

He said human error accounted for about 95 per cent of all these crashes, while the road accounted for three per cent and the vehicle two per cent. Moreover, he pointed out that in Botswana, excessive speed had been identified as a long outstanding and significant contributing factor to death and injury.

“Drivers should treat speed limits as a maximum value not to be exceeded; they should at all cost avoid driving at high speed because it is difficult to avoid a road crash at such a speed,” he pointed out.

To avoid possible crashes caused by over-speeding, he advised road users to plan their trips well in time and adhere to stipulated speed restrictions.

Mr Molebo said before undertaking a trip, a driver should make sure that their vehicle has been serviced and is roadworthy.Other factors that the driver should consider, he said is to leave earlier for their destination, wearing a seat belt at all times to avoid being ejected out of the car in the event of a road mishap,staying alert, and watching out for other road users and animals.

He noted that passengers were the most affected in road crashes; as such they should fasten their seat belts at all times.  According to Mr Molebo, children constitute a large number of road accidents.

He said that many of these deaths can be prevented by placing children in age and size appropriate car seats and booster seats as they reduce serious and fatal injuries in cases of a crash. ends