03 Mar 2014

Road safety coordinator at the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) Mr Baliki Tsopane says pedestrians in the Chobe area lack knowledge and awareness of proper road use and safety.

Addressing stakeholders during a roadside educational campaign at Kasane Primary School recently, Mr Tsopane said most pedestrians in Chobe walked on the wrong side of the road and did not look out for oncoming traffic.

He said pedestrians did not look out for traffic when crossing the road and stressed that more needed to be done to raise awareness on proper road use.

“That is why we launched this campaign, with the aim of raising awareness of road safety issues among young people because they are the ones who are prone to road accidents,” he said. The campaign included training school going children and young adults on proper road use and safety.

For his part, Superintendent Oupa Malebye said since the beginning of the year, the Chobe District had recorded three accidents in which some people sustained injuries.

He also expressed concern at motorists who drink while driving. Angela Kasale, a standard three pupil at Kasane Primary School, said the campaign taught her how to cross the road properly at pedestrian crossings. She added that she learnt the importance of wearing bright colored clothes that are visible to motorists especially at night.

The campaign was a collaboration between the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) and Chobe District road safety. ENDS