07 Dec 2016

Tutume Sub-district council chairperson Mr Ishmael Mokgethi has implored Batswana to collectively work together in ensuring that the country’s roads are safe to be used by all.

Speaking at the Northern region remembrance for road traffic victims in Mathangwane recently, the chairperson noted that safety in the roads begins with the users themselves noting that it is thus paramount to all road users to comply with road signs and observing the speed limits as well as driving cautiously all the times.

He said some major road crashes which result in loss of lives are as result of bad driving by some drivers with other driving under the influence of alcohol.

Today nationally, he said 337 Batswana have lost their lives with 17 of them having lost their lives along the A3 road of Francistown to Nata this year since January.

Such a loss, he said calls upon all stakeholders to mediate on measures to curb the situation which could save lives.

Mr Mokgethi further noted that since Botswana is part of the United Nations General Assembly which unanimously adopted a resolution to declare the year 2011 to 2020 as a decade of action for road safety which calls on countries to set targets for road trauma reduction and implementation of road safety activities including post-crash response.

It is as such that this year’s theme “vital post crash action: medical care, investigation, justices”, the road safety unit is putting up efforts to sensitise and encourage the community to make use of the existing health facilities which include clinics, hospitals and health care services to ensure efficient mobilisation of health care resources in saving lives on the roads.

He highlighted that about 50 per cent of fatalities from road traffic collisions occur within minutes at the scene or in transit and before arrival at hospitals.

He therefore noted that through optimal care both pre hospital and hospital phases road trauma deaths could be avoided.

Mr Mokgethi nonetheless implored drivers to drive carefully at all the times noting that with the festive seasons coming on, road users should desist from driving or using the roads under the influence of alcohol and adhere to traffic laws and regulations. ENDS