22 Nov 2021

Government, through the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, spends in excess of P200 million annually to assist victims of road accidents. 

This was revealed by  Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Thulagano Segokgo when officiating at the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims at Sese near Jwaneng recently. 

Mr Segokgo said traffic accidents did not only drain government coffers but they also affected household and national economies.

He said that was because the majority of road accident victims were the most productive members of society aged between 21 and 50. 

“This group consists of the breadwinners, whom families are looking to for provisions, and the most learned, whom the country looks to for economic prosperity,” he said. 

Minister Segokgo therefore urged individuals to play their part in ensuring safety on roads, especially with the festive season approaching.

A high volume of road accidents is recorded during the festive season due to increased travel. 

Mr Segokgo hailed caretakers of victims, especially those who needed lifetime care. 

“Such caregivers are also doing a good job, so instead of just remembering the victims, we should also honour them, together with other players like the first response organisations, police and the health professionals,” he said. 

Minister Segokgo described road accident statistics for 2020 and this year as chilling despite the fact that there were COVID-19 movement restrictions.

Road traffic accidents could only be defeated by behavioural change, he said. 

The minister said individual behaviour, such as speeding, drinking and driving as well as carelessness were the causes of most accidents.

“It is upon each individual to commit  to a change in behaviour,” he said. 

For his part, MP for Jwaneng-Mabutsane, Mr Mephato Reatile said police should employ technology to identify people using duplicate licences after forfeiting them due to traffic offences. 

“Most people would rush to make duplicate licences before they surrender originals and it’s unfortunate that the police have no way of identifying such offenders. These are the very people that go on to cause further accidents,” he said. 

Mr Reatile also called on government to make it a requirement for first aid to be part and parcel of the driving school curriculum.

Learners would not only graduate with driving licences but basics in first aid to enable them to offer assistance before the arrival of professionals, he said.

Prior to the commemoration, Botswana’s  26th, build up activities were undertaken in the area including school essay competitions, clean-up campaigns as well as mobile traffic school visits. ends