10 Jun 2019

Mookane residents have been urged to be cautious on the roads as accidents involving donkey carts continue to torment communities in the Mahalapye Sub-district.

Superintendent Kgosienalerona Sechoni of the traffic division in Mahalapye, said donkey carts safety was a serious concern.

Supt Sechoni raised the concern during a donation ceremony recently, where Mooratsatsi Investment of Mookane, donated reflectors.

Mr Sechoni said cart drivers constituted a group of people at risk of death and disability due to road accidents.

He said carts were used by people of all ages and inappropriate behaviour synonymous with their use included, disregard for road rules and regulations, allowing minors to drive and driving under the influence of alcohol all of which led to increase in traffic road accidents.

The road traffic accidents regulations, Supt Sechoni said, stipulated that no person should operate an animal drawn cart on the road unless fitted with retro reflectors.

He therefore, appealed to cart drivers to always abide by the rules and ‘not assume that motor vehicle drivers will always see and stop for you.’ He also cautioned them to be alert when crossing or driving along the road.

Superintendent Sechoni said between 2015 and 2018, District No 16 policing area, registered 32 road accidents involving donkey carts.

Meanwhile, Mr Luckson Likokoto of Mooratsatsi Investments said it was important to address challenges affecting society.

He said the idea of donating reflectors came about after his wife was nearly involved in a road accident with a donkey cart one night.

Without reflectors, Mr Likokoto observed, carts were hardly visible at night and there was a risk of fatal road accidents.

“As the business community and individuals, we must identify challenges in our society and come up with interventions to address them. I am committed, where possible to address such,” he said, adding that road accidents were a challenge for all. ENDS