10 Dec 2013

Minister of Transport and Communication, Mr Nonofo Molefhi has expressed concern about the increasing numbers of crashes involving public transportation.

Speaking during the National Road Safety Day in Shakawe, Mr Molefhi said it becomes scary when public transport becomes frequently involved in roads accidents. He cited some accidents which occurred recently and claimed many lives noting that government was bound to take decisive action to avert a further loss of lives. Minister Molefhi implored key stakeholders to commit to assisting one another in working towards reducing road crashes.

“All should play their role and ensure death statistics are reduced by preaching road safety messages to the public,” he added. He said it was important as road users to have knowledge and information adding that children should also be taken on board.

The minister said if road users could take the messages of road safety seriously, indeed they could have best chance to normal life which is the vision for Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA). He also challenged drivers to ensure their vehicles are in good condition, and make sure they rest after taking long trips to avoid unnecessary crashes.

Most drivers who undertake long distance drive under fatigue and thus end up causing accidents, he said. Mr Molefhi said every day around the world 3,500 people leave home and never return because they have suddenly, violently killed in a road traffic crash. He said it was indeed a disturbing position to note that traffic fatalities are predicted to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2030 if immediate action is not taken.

Mr Molefhi said in Botswana it has been realised that most accidents occurred in open tarred roads and currently, the government has increased charges of road offences and they intend to increase the number of magistrates so that they could attend cases of road accidents immediately. He noted that it has been discussed that during sentencing, extra mural activity should be included. The minister informed Shakawe residents that the government was aware of the bad state of Sehithwa/Shakawe road and that it would be maintained if funds permit in the next financial year.

Currently, he said, his ministry has bought 21 graders, and two would be allocated to North West district to continue making roads passable. The director of traffic, Senior Assistant Commissioner Katlholo Mosimanegape observed that road crashes were affecting the economy as lives get lost. He noted that mostly pedestrians such as children and elders are the victims in road crashes.

Mr Mosimanegape said astray animals along the roads cause accidents and appealed to the communities to look after their livestock. Accidents impoverish families and leave pain and disability hence affecting the economy, he added.  He said in Botswana from 2006 to date, 3140 people lost lives, 95 had serious injuries while 569 had minor injuries adding that most accidents took place in areas of Serowe and its surroundings, Francistown and Gaborone cities.

In Ngamiland, he said in 2011 only 13 people died while this year they recorded 18 fatalities. This year alone, he said they had already recorded 378 deaths country wide as compared to 365 of last year same period. For her part, MVA deputy chairperson, Ms Elaina Gonsalves said Botswana is often cited as a successful economic story in Africa, noting that road transport is not only an indicator but also pivotal in the economic development of the country. Ms Gonsalves said since independence, achievements had continued to be made in expanding and improving the road network thus creating regional balances. However,she noted that road traffic crashes continued to negate these achievements.

She said it was pleasing to have entities like MVA who have adopted data driven approaches towards traffic safety as enshrined in the procurement of Mobile Children Traffic school to ensure that the population at risk receive a purposeful safety education that would enhance their interaction with vehicular traffic. ENDS