23 Jul 2013

Kgosi Kgari Sechele III of Bakwena has urged the public to facilitate safe travelling by all road users to reduce road casualties.

Officiating at the safe cycling awareness campaign in Molepolole on Saturday, he said road casualties did not only result in socio-economic expenses for victims and their families but they also placed a heavy burden on public health services.

Kgosi Kgari said road traffic crash data showed that in 2011 out of 18 001 recorded accidents, 38 accidents were caused by cyclist error as compared to 32 of 17 527 recorded in 2012.  This, he said, showed that cycling had a stake in road traffic crashes.

He said statistics for Molepolole showed that in 2010, 983 accidents were recorded, whilst 834 were recorded in 2011 and 789 in 2012 and casualties amounted to 567 in 2012. 

Kgosi Kgari said initiatives that the department of road transport and safety and its partners had undertaken for years in an effort to reduce road users ‘toll and casualties had minimally achieved the set goal of reducing traffic crashes. He said despite these interventions, the country would continue to lose hundreds of people every year on roads.

To sensitise the public on safe cycling and traffic crashes involving cyclists in the country, Molepolole-Lentsweletau district road safety committee embarked on a campaign targeting cyclists.

The campaign was aimed at encouraging road users to use bicycles as a mode of transport as it also reduced traffic congestion. It also advocated for proper use of the road, use of reflective items and helmets.

The Kweneng leadership comprising of Kgosi Kgari being the lead cyclist as well as district commissioner for Kweneng, Ms Thobo Mapitse and Kweneng District Council chairman, Mr Mothopi Leo cycled the 16 km route in Molepolole.  ENDS