13 Nov 2021

Road safety remains one of the developmental challenges for Botswana, says the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo.

Speaking during a two-day workshop hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on Thursday, Mr Segokgo indicated that high level stakeholder involvement in road safety matters was key to the implementation of road safety strategy and expressed gratitude to the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety for the unwavering support.

Mr Segokgo further noted that road safety required a research-based multi-sectorial approach to ensure that decisions and polices were well informed and effectively respond to the challenges faced.
The Minister expressed concern about the loss of lives on roads due to accidents, adding that statistics showed that Botswana lost around 400 people each year, with thousands sustaining serious and minor injuries and  many crippled for the rest of their lives. 
He explained that the majority of the accidents, whose causes ranged from speed violations, loss of control, dangerous driving and drunk driving, mostly affected young people.
“This workshop is a step in the right direction for Botswana, and I remain committed to ensuring the full implementation of its recommendations,” he said.

The minister further emphasised that government would continue to build effective partnerships and explore opportunities to collaborate with all potential partners, both at national, regional and global level, to ensure that Botswana did not remain behind in this noble endeavour of saving lives on 'our roads'. 

For his part, UN Secretary General Special Envoy, Mr Jean Todt, emphasised the importance of establishing a lead national road safety agency. 
He expressed his commitment to supporting Botswana in road safety efforts and highlighted the possibility of technical support from his secretariat.
He also provided an overview of the UN Road Safety Conventions and requested the UN Resident Coordinator’s support in assisting Botswana to accede to the conventions. He also outlined his mandate, ongoing activities as well as priorities. End
 

CAPTION: Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo (left) and WHO resident representative, Dr Josephine Nambodze at the national road safety workshop in Gaborone on Thursday. Minister Segokgo expressed concern about the loss of lives on roads due to accidents.Photo: Gontle Merafhe