05 Dec 2018

As the future of any nation depends on the productive age group, road traffic accidents claiming the lives of youth is excruciating and bound to negatively impact the future and economic prosperity of the nation.

Having been reported as the most demographic group affected by road accident fatalities, Molepolole youth took a decision to commit to responsible behaviour when using roads.

This follows the Southern Division Youth Drivers Outreach Programme which was launched recently by Divisional Commander, South, Senior Assistant Commissioner Harrison Digobe which was held under the theme: Cultivating responsible use of the road by the youth; Leaders of tomorrow.

Addressing the youth, Mr Digobe stated that the campaign was motivated by increasing loss of lives in respect of people aged between 18 and 40 years. 

Mr Digobe said the public census confirmed that the youth accounted for about 60 per cent of the population in the country, and that they accounted for a large number of road accidents resulting in serious injuries and fatalities with  District no 11 dominating the death statistics hence calling for more coordinated efforts in tackling road traffic accidents.

“Risky behaviour on the road has been identified as the main cause of accidents amongst the youth with excessive speed, reckless overtaking and failure to obey road signs as examples of such irresponsible behaviour coupled with the use of alcohol and drugs whilst driving,” he said.

In 2016, he said the country recorded 450 deaths in which 268 were youth and also recorded 444 fatalities in 2017 and that 247 were youth.

At the divisional level, the southern division recorded 112 fatalities and 55 out of the number were the youth. From January to November 2018, he said 110 lives had been lost and 58 represented the youth.

In collaboration with youth organisations such as Society of Road Safety Ambassadors (SORSA), Namane Ya Moroba Road Safety and Remmogo Youth Organisation, Botswana Police Service came up with the initiative to create awareness on the youth to be agents of change.

He urged the youth to be responsible and to commit to a joint approach geared towards behavioural change prior to making a positive impact on drivers and responsible road usage.

“You should come up with solutions that will address the challenge at hand, draw up programmes that can be implemented by all and cultivate within yourselves a passion to deal with road safety issues.

I believe we all have solutions to this problem, so let us closely collaborate, share best practices and devise action plans for our joint implementation,” he said.ENDS