05 Jul 2023

Showing no sign of reduction, the rate of motor vehicle accidents in Botswana has been described as a source of concern. 

Board chairperson of the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, Dr Boitumelo Mokgatla said fatality numbers from road accidents were alarming: they were even slightly higher than in high-income countries.

Dr Mokgatla was addressing the MVA Fund safe mobility advocacy forum this week. 

She appealed for the involvement of all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem, which she described as a threat to the country’s economic development. 

Dr Mokgatla disclosed that motor vehicle accidents were an additional strain to the nation’s healthcare system.

She said statistics indicated that since 2013, the country had been losing 425 lives annually through motor vehicle accidents. 

Dr Mokgatla observed that the situation necessitated new approaches to road safety, as well as reframing it as a development and public health issue.

The forum discussed ways to enhance road safety management in Botswana.

Giving a status of road safety in the country, the Director of Traffic at Botswana Police, Mr Pilane Sebigi said the 2022 National Road Safety Situation Report showed that there was a decrease in both general road accidents, fatal crashes and fatalities compared to 2021. 

He said in the same year the country recorded 16 404 road accidents as compared to 17 277 in 2021, while traffic violations in 2022 were 384 747 compared to 365 336 in 2021.

Mr Sebigi identified speeding, driving without a licence, and drunken driving as the top traffic violations.

The guest speaker, Dr Brett Hughes, from Australia emphasised the importance of training and awareness campaigns.

He called for a comprehensive driver education that includes training on defensive driving skills, understanding road sign meanings, appreciation of the need to adhere to road signs, and raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Dr Hughes underscored the role government policies play in enhancing road safety. 

He suggested a stricter licensing process, improvement in public transportation systems, and availing necessary funds for road infrastructure. ENDS