13 Dec 2020

Maun Ministers Fraternal chairperson, Apostle Terence Sechele has advised motorists to plan their trips and avoid unnecessary travel to curb road accidents.

Apostle Sechele made the remarks at the road safety prayers organised by the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DTRS) at the Maun entry point on the Nata-Maun road on December 10.

He observed that fatigue, not obeying road signs, drunkenness and speeding were the common contributing factors to road accidents.

Apostle Sechele therefore said motorists should undertake planned trips only as statistics showed that mobility contributed to road traffic accidents.

He said between March and May 2019, there were 119 fatalities recorded in the country as compared to 44 fatalities that were recorded in 2020, a decrease he said was attributed to restricted movement of people this year.

However, Apostle Sechele said fatalities recorded between June and August this year, after lifting of restricted movement of people was 64 fatalities, which showed an increase.

Apostle Sechele also appealed to all road users including pedestrians to be observant and cautious on roads at all times.

Maun Station Traffic Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nelson Kelebetse said the recorded number of road traffic accidents in Maun in 2020 were worrisome despite restricted movement of people in some months.

Assistant Supt Kelebetse said 476 cases were recorded from January to date in Maun only, with nine fatalities in which 10 deaths occurred, with 18 serious injuries and 116 minor injuries recorded.

He said in comparison, 590 cases were recorded in the year 2019 with 17 fatal accidents in which 19 deaths occurred, 26 serious injuries and 164 minor injuries recorded.

Assistant Kelebetse urged motorists to be vigilant at all times, saying a driver had to take responsibility over the road and vehicle.

He said most road accidents happened when people were from carousing therefore urged passengers to ensure use of seat belt.

The DTRS station manager, Ms Ntshadi Mosie said those who planned journeys for groups such as churches should apply for permits with the department on time to avoid last minute things, which might contribute to road accidents.

Ms Mosie also advised churches to form road safety clubs and work with the department and other road safety clubs. ends