20 Sep 2018

Lobatse police station’s road and traffic department officials have expressed concern about an increasing number of children who die on roads due to parents’ disregard for the car seat requirement.

In an interview, Sergent Tebogo Bareetseng, said children were among lives lost in about 245 road accidents recorded this year.

Mr Bareetseng said it was worrisome that police across the country continued to charge parents over violation of seat belt requirements.

He said parents should know that passengers not wearing seat belts were at a higher risk of losing their lives during accidents.

He said they were concerned about some motorists who let their children play in moving cars, saying that it was not a sign of love.

Sgt. Bareetseng stressed that all vehicle occupants needed to be properly restrained by seat belts or child safety seats to prevent injury in case of a sudden stop, swerve or crash, adding that restraining children on adults’ seat belts did not provide a solution.

Meanwhile, Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) accident prevention officer, Mr Tlhabano Mmusi said motorists should obey all road regulations to be able to access sufficient service such as medical expenses cover after accidents.

Mr Mmusi said motorists found to have not obeyed child restraint seat regulations will only be assisted with 50 per cent of their total expenses.

He said MVAF had the right, according to the law, to claim money back from road users who violated regulations such as driving without a license or under the influence of alcohol, among others. ENDS