23 May 2018

 

Driver fatigue is said to be one of the most dangerous factors affecting road safety in Botswana.

Speaking during a media briefing on May 22, marketing manager at Scania Botswana, Mr Bonani Mahilo said it does not matter how experienced a driver was, under the strain of fatigue, driving became hazardous.

He said fatigue was a major contributory factor since driver’s never got rest prior to them starting their journeys thus causing a lot of accidents around the country.

Mr Mahilo stated that commercial vehicle drivers were prone to accidents, adding that some transport operators compelled their drivers to work long hours without resting in order to maximise profit.

He further noted that besides fatigue, drunken driving and negligence were some of the factors that lead to accidents.

“When drivers are fatigued or sleepy they are less able to respond quickly to changes in the road environment, and they are also less likely to notice things that may pose a risk,” he said.

Stressing that road safety was everyone’s responsibility and call, Mr Mahilo urged all drivers to be responsible to attain the Vision 2036 pillar of governance, peace and security.

He said companies operating in Botswana’s automobile industry looked at wellness in a broader perspective and have started interactions with the Ministry of Transport and Communication in the road safety portfolio.

For his part, Vivo Energy Botswana managing director, Mr Wayne Kingwill reiterated that fatigue management and road safety applied to all road users, while road transport remained the leading cause of accidents and deaths in the country.

He noted that poor behaviour on the roads needed to be corrected as too many innocent lives were lost due to accidents while some sustained serious injuries.

Mr Kingwill said drivers should be encouraged to get enough rest before going behind the wheel, adding that it was the duty of the private sector to encourage discipline and road safety compliance within communities they operated in.

He urged all drivers to inculcate a culture of safety on the roads into themselves and continue to spread the message.

Mr Kingwill said Vivo Energy Botswana collaborated with government and the private sector in pursuit of the development of the country and the wellbeing of its people. ENDS