Police record increase in road fatalities
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday April 18, 2023 06:00
In a media release, the Botswana Police Service (BPS) public relations officer, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube said the five fatal accidents occurred on the Tsabong-Kokotsha, Serowe-Palapye, Maun-Nata, Nkange-Maitengwe, and Sebina-Tutume roads with each fatality claiming a life.
Motube further stated that they also registered 7,304 traffic violations demonstrating a 9.3 percent increase compared to 6,682 in the same period last year. However, on the positive end, he stated that the police realised a 17.4% decline in accidents with 161 registered in the recent holidays compared to 195 in the previous period last year.
Furthermore, Motube said the service is concerned by motorists who, despite police’s efforts to ensure road safety, continue to drive at excessive speeds and drink alcohol while driving.
He disclosed that a total of 1,436 cases of speeding were recorded during the review period compared to 1,376 registered last year. “A total of 300 motorists were charged for driving whilst their alcohol content exceeded the prescribed limit, as compared to 319 who were charged during last year’s holidays,” Motube said. In an interview with The Monitor last week, the deputy divisional traffic officer for South Central, Senior Superintendent Boiki Mojalemotho raised concerns over the high number of car crashes which occur due to drinking and driving as alcohol-related accidents continue to escalate.
He revealed that of the 80 drivers who were tested 38 were found driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. “Fourteen drivers were found with traces of alcohol even though it was below the limit.
Six more drivers were charged after failing to provide their breath and 22 were found with no traces of alcohol. Drunken driving remains a concern and many have perished in road accidents due to alcohol consumption but it appears that people are reluctant to change despite our efforts,” Mojalemotho said then. Mojalemotho called for sober driving, pointing out that alcohol affects drivers in many aspects including attitude, judgement, vigilance and reaction time among others.
However, the police have previously identified drivers’ attitudes and behaviours as the leading causes of road fatalities. The police stated that motorists’ attitudes towards key road safety issues such as overspeeding, drugs and intoxication, drunken driving and overtaking risks, remain a major road safety concern.
They added that some accidents could have been easily avoided had road users exercised patience and paid more attention to traffic signs and regulations. Moreover, the police said another cause for concern was the collision of motorists with either wild animals or domestic animals, in most cases, cattle roaming the roads.