13 Oct 2015

The chairperson of the Association of Southern African National Roads Agencies (ASANRA), Mr Randall Cable  says there is a need to address road safety issues at the highest level.

Mr Cable said this recently in Kasane when addressing representatives from Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries. He noted that accidents do happen, but that they need to plan and prepare in such platforms on how to reduce fatal accidents. 

“This forum is a good example of the importance of having road safety issues addressed at the highest level as we are able to share our experiences and grow from them,” he explained.

He further said road accident deaths were the number one cause of death of males aged between 15-35 years in the SADC region. 

Mr Cable said tailor-made courses for each member state and the introduction of road safety audits throughout road construction projects could help change the current position of road safety in SADC.

Mr Cable said he was pleased that each member state was represented and participated diligently.Botswana’s representative, Mr Amos Motshegwe from the Department of Road, Transport and Safety (DRTS) said ASANRA has helped the national road safety committee to engage in programmes and courses on road safety in South Africa.

 “With the knowledge that we attain from other member states and internationally, we have been able to see progress in the challenges we face as a nation,” he explained.

Mr Motshegwe said the main challenges that Botswana faced were the construction of roads, the engineers that construction, neglecting road users other than drivers and the attitude of drivers.

“In comparison to other member states, Botswana is faring well in terms of road safety,” he said. Ends