20 Nov 2013

The Minister of Transport and Communications has implored all stakeholders in road safety campaigns to assist government reduce road accidents.

Minister Nonofo Molefhi made the call during the commemoration of World Road Traffic Victims Day in Jwaneng on November 18. He said government continued to spend millions of Pula on road maintenance yet skilled and dedicated workers either lost their lives or picked career destroying injuries from road accidents.

He said about 1.2 million people died annually worldwide as a result of careless driving, speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Mr Molefhi SAID government spent about P1.5 million every year on road maintenance adding that a one kilometre road cost government about P7million to tar mark.

However, he reaffirmed government commitment to continue improving the quality of roads with the view to enhance safety on the roads. He further highlighted that government would tighten up road traffic laws particularly with regards to drunken driving, a major contributing factor, in an attempt to reduce avoidable road accidents.

The minister also appealed to farmers to look after their livestock to avoid causing accidents on the roads. Member of Parliament for Ngwaketse West Mr, Mephato Reatile said road accidents remained a serious challenge despite government efforts to contain it through penalties. He said some motorists seemed not to be bothered by the penalties.

He also complained that people living with disabilities were not catered for in terms of road signage. For his part Jwaneng mayor, Mr Amos Johana raised a concern that some farmers cut fences along main roads to graze their livestock.

He also argued that bad roads were a major contributing factor in road accidents. Although the town was internationally acclaimed for world class diamonds, he complained that Jwaneng still had bad roads.

Mr Johana said, roads were only rehabilitated when senior government officials visit the town. Meanwhile, Ms Gomolemo Majape won herself P1 000 during Miss road safety beauty contest last Friday. Ms Mpule Maningela pocketed P700 while Thato Janet got herself P500 respectively. ENDS