11 Apr 2017

District commissioner for Boteti, Mr Bahithi Keiphokotse has encouraged churches to practice road safety as they embark on Easter holiday trips to different places.

Speaking in a kgotla meeting recently, Mr Keiphokotse advised churches to have road safety committees that will be responsible for road safety measures.

He further said those committees  should make sure that permits are made, taken well on time  to prevent delays, vehicles  and drivers are in a good condition, road worthy as well as making sure the journey starts early to avoid accidents caused by wandering livestock at night, as most road accidents happen during the night between people and animals due to over speeding.

Additionally, he said according to Botswana Road Safety Strategy, nearly 1.3 million people die every year on the world’s roads and up to 50 million are injured.

These tragic deaths and injuries can be prevented if measures are taken by all road users and in that way millions of deaths could potentially be prevented as a result.

He further encouraged everyone present to consider the five pillars of road safety management which are road safety management, safe roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safe road users and post crash response.

“with those pillars in action together we can fight road accidents and save millions of lives,” he stated.

He added that all road users should be cautious on the road more especially during the night since wild animals are also all over seeking for green pastures and therefore it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure their safety as it is against the law to touch, entice or disturb those wild animals.

Assistant Superintendent Molefane Chepete of Letlhakane police stated that statistics for Boteti District alone showed that road accidents increased year after another more especially during holidays as people traveled in large numbers.

He pointed out that in 2015 they  registered 365 cases of road accidents while in 2016 they registered 359 cases. In 2015, 17 people died  and 26 had serious injuries  in 2016, seven died and 33 remained with disabilities and this year already 81 cases have been registered while three people died.

Assistant Superintendent Chepete urged road users to be responsible at all times to save millions of lives. In conclusion he said nobody should drink and drive and road safety began with an individual. ENDS