13 Mar 2016

A motion by the Member of Parliament for Francistown West Mr Ignatius Moswaane, proposing for the introduction of tachograph speedometers in all public vehicles which travel long distances has been adopted by Parliament.

In proposing the motion, Mr Moswaane had argued that the device would be used to monitor speed of public transport.  He further stated that in times of accidents the device can be used to determine whether drivers were speeding or not. The Botswana Democratic Party legislator further said the device would help to monitor the amount of time taken by public transport drivers doing long routes take before stopping to rest.

The tachograph is a device fitted in a vehicle which automatically records speed of a vehicle and distance travelled. The motion was debated on Friday and all MPs who took to the floor backed it. 

The MP for Thamaga-Kumakwane Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, who is also the minister of Transport and Communications, said the motion was noble because the device helps to monitor behavior of drivers on the roads and prevents abuse of vehicles. However, he explained that there is currently no provision in the Road Traffic Act for the fitting of the tachograph devices in public transport. 

“There are some individual companies that have installed the device in their vehicles to monitor how their vehicles are handled. We would continue as the Ministry of Transport and Communications to support and encourage public operators to install tachograph speedometers,” Mr Mabeo said.

Shoshong MP Mr Dikgang Makgalemele gave the motion thumbs up, saying the device will help to provide accurate information about the behavior of public vehicle drivers. He said it is difficult to nab drivers travelling at high speed because they use signals to communicate about police speed traps, so the tachograph will help.

“A lot of people have lost their lives in accidents caused by speeding drivers and I believe adopting this motion will help to reduce the number of accidents happening in our roads,” Mr Makgalemele said.

Mahalapye East MP Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said adopting the motion will lead to better control of public transport drivers. “It is important to control how the drivers of public transport because they carry many people. It brings a lot of sorrow to many families when people perish in public transport accidents,” she said.

Letlhakeng West MP Mr Ngaka Ngaka proposed to the ministry of transport to come up with an office for monitoring of the tachograph devices once they have been fitted in vehicles. Otherwise, he said, some operators may manipulate their readings.

Kanye North MP Mr Patrick Ralotsia said speeding has caused many accidents therefore it is important for government to leverage on technology to fight the problem.

Mahalapye West MP Mr Joseph Molefe said that other countries are already using the device to promote safety in their roads, urging the ministry of transport to follow suit.

“We have a concern of safety in the roads in our country, so we should use the tachograph device as it can help to bring down the number of accidents in our roads,” Mr Molefe said. ENDS