05 Feb 2013

 Director of traffic, Mr Katlholo Mosimanegape has called for the deployment of resources and operations to target specific accident prone areas. 

Mr Mosimanegape said road traffic accidents were worrisome because most of them happened on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and each of these days recorded above 3 000 accidents in 2012. 

Speaking during the annual Traffic Commanders meeting in Palapye, Mr Mosimanegape said although there were some successes in some areas, the number of accidents were still a concern.

Furthermore, he said the analysis on the causes of accidents depicted a disturbing trend of unlicensed drivers as a major contributor.

In 2011, he said, 20 unlicensed drivers were involved in fatal crashes, 43 in serious crashes and 103 in minor ones, 403 in damage only accidents resulting in 569 crashes. 

He therefore urged traffic commanders to address this bothersome trend at their respective policing areas.

A high number of accidents, he said, were a result of careless and inconsiderate driving, presence of animals/cattle on the roads, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and tyre bursts due to the use of defective or worn out tyres. 

“It is these problems which if not given close monitoring can make us fail in our efforts to reduce road accidents in Botswana,” he said. 

In 2012, he said, a 2.6 per cent reduction in crashes was recorded, of which 17 523 crashes were recorded in 2012 and 18 001 crashes recorded in 2011. Regarding fatal accidents, he said there was a total of 322 fatal crashes with 404 fatalities in 2012 compared to 369 in 2011.

Mr Mosimanegape attributed this reduction to conducting sobriety check points, saturation patrols, red light operations and high way patrols. 

In addition, he said traffic commanders were trying their best to fight the scourge of fatal road accidents with limited resources at their disposal.

He also appreciated the purchase of vehicles for the traffic branch through the traffic fines funds.  ENDS