08 Dec 2021

Over P200million is spent annually on compensation claims  for victims of road accidents.

Government of Botswana, through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, reportedly pays P200 million every year in compensation claims to This was revealed by Serowe sub-district council chairperson, Mr Lesedi Phuthego at the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic victims, under the theme: “Act for Low Speed”,  in Serowe on Tuesday.

Mr Phuthego said the theme sends a clear message to all road users as it placed emphasis on the reduction of traffic speed on roads, to prevent many deaths and serious injuries. 

He said the day was meant to pay special tribute to dedicated medical professionals, emergency crews and the police, who in most cases, were subjected to post-crash trauma, occasioned by injuries and deaths of crash victims on the roads and in hospitals.

Additionally, Mr Phuthego said Botswana Police Service road crash statistics for the period January 1 to September 30, 2021, stood at 242, resulting in 14 fatalities, while 287 crashes were recorded in the same period in 2020, resulting in 15 fatalities.  

“I must hasten to express my deep worry over the continued loss of live on our roads, particularly by the most vulnerable age group of 21 and 50 years,” he stated.

He noted that the unfortunate trajectory, if not contained, would result in a huge loss of both the much needed financial and human resources, for growing the economy.

Mr Phuthego appealed to all road safety stakeholders and interested partners, to work collaboratively towards reversing this tragic situation on the roads.

He informed the gathering that the Serowe District Road Safety Committee continued to make some impact in and around Serowe, by conducting workshops targeting farmers, as well as scholar patrols in primary schools.

The chairperson appealed to all road users, particularly motorists, to exercise some measure of restraint on unwarranted road user behaviour such as driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, driving late at night, speeding, failure to use safety belts and failure to obey road signs and regulations.

Serowe Administrative Authority, Deputy District Officer, Mr Collen Tubego, stated that low speeds have the potential to prevent many deaths and serious injuries, in particular, those of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users such as children, the elderly and those with disabilities.

Mr Tubego said families have lost their loved ones, and relatives in the society as some were well educated people, who could assist the government in developments.

Meanwhile, Serowe Road Safety Committee managed to erect road humps and mark zebra crossings at Makolojane, Tshekedi, Motetshwane and Newtown primary schools, for motorists to reduce speed when passing where pupils cross.

The objectives of the day were to remember all people killed and seriously injured on the roads and their families; acknowledge the crucial work of the emergency services, draw attention to the legal response to road deaths and injuries, advocate for better support for road traffic victims and families and to promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries. BOPA