08 Jul 2019

Young people have been urged to play an active role to ensure the country achieves knowledge based economy revolution.

Speaking during the roll out of the ‘Youth drivers outreach programme’ in Maun recently, Divisional traffic officer-North, assistant commissioner Christopher Ndlovu said the country is going through a transition to be a knowledge based economy.

He challenged young people to think outside the box and turn challenges of road safety into opportunities which would eventually contribute to the economy. The outreach programme is aimed at reaching out to youth to share road traffic information and seek commitment from young drivers to make a difference.

The event brought together 300 young drivers whom assistant commissioner Ndlovu urged to think economically and come up with youth-oriented road safety initiatives that would help to develop home-ground solutions to curb the escalating road accidents that continue to take lives.

Road accidents, he said continued to be the country’s major problem and remained the leading cause of death amongst citizens especially the youth. “You are very innovative and I challenge you to be part of the band wagon of knowledge based economy revolution. Initiate perfect business opportunities to promote road safety. The government would support you to develop such businesses as they would eventually grow the economy,” he added.

Young people are considered future leaders and were encouraged take advantage of social media to contribute to the economy and assist communities to be safer in roads even from criminal activities.

Assistant commissioner Ndlovu urged them to own the initiative, saying they should live it and preach the message everywhere they go to make a difference in the lives of their friends, families, relatives and the community at large.  As from January to June this year, he said they had recorded 195 deaths across the country of which 50 were youth aged between 18 and 40 years.

The figure, he said represented 68.5 per cent of their age group while in 2018 the figures stood at 64.2 per cent.

The police chief said there was consistency in youth contribution to road crashes and stated that it was upon them to reduce the figures.

Youth were challenged to take the  decision to be responsible road users, live long and be productive in the country’s economy. It was reported that most of the accidents occurred as a result of driver’s bad attitudes, speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Mr Ndlovu said numbers of youth involved in road accidents were high, mainly  because of their lifestyle, but advised them to change such attitudes and be role models to the majority of the citizens.

Use of cell phones when driving, impatience and dangerous overtaking were also cited as major causes of road accidents in the country.

Kgosi Tatlhego Repheya of Disaneng ward observed that young people preferred vehicles with high speed.

He appreciated that some car owners had formed associations and joined hands with traffic officers to educate young drivers, the community and promote safe and responsible use of the road.

He wished others could emulate that and actively participate in promoting safe road use adding that some youth lose lives to road accidents that could have been avoided.

Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund manager in Maun, Mr Cecil Mosojane urged drivers to exercise caution in roads to strive for safety.

MVA, he said was equally concerned with the escalating numbers of accidents resulting in loss of lives. He said they meet with victims on weekly basis and shared with youth services offered by the fund. ENDS