As A3 opens, responsibility rests with driver

Mmegi Editor | Monday July 27, 2026 06:00

For decades, the Francistown-Nata road has witnessed countless accidents, many of them fatal. Families have lost loved ones. Businesses have suffered delays while motorists have repeatedly complained about the poor condition of the road.

The opening of the new section is therefore welcome news and a reminder that investing in quality infrastructure can save lives.

However, while the smooth new surface brings relief, it also comes with greater responsibility.

One of the biggest mistakes motorists often make is believing that a better road gives them the permission to drive faster. Experience has shown that newly constructed roads can easily become accident hotspots if drivers ignore speed limits and basic traffic rules.

Speeding, dangerous overtaking, driving while tired and using mobile phones behind the wheel remain some of the leading causes of road crashes. A good road cannot compensate for poor judgement. Motorists should also remember that the A3 project is still under construction. Only a small section has been completed, while work continues on other parts of the highway.

Drivers must therefore exercise patience whenever they encounter construction zones, temporary diversions, reduced speed limits or traffic control measures.

These restrictions are there to protect both road users and the workers who continue to build the remaining sections.

The billions of pula invested in this project will only achieve their purpose if every road user plays their part. Government can build modern roads, engineers can deliver quality work and the police can enforce traffic laws, but the final responsibility still rests with the person behind the steering wheel. Public transport operators, truck drivers and private motorists all have a duty to respect the rules of the road. Passengers should also play their role by encouraging responsible driving instead of placing pressure on drivers to speed.

The opening of the first 20 kilometres of the A3 highway should mark the beginning of a new road safety culture. Let us not allow the same road that has been rebuilt to protect lives to become another scene of avoidable tragedy because of reckless driving. The greatest measure of success will not be how quickly motorists can travel between Francistown and Nata. It will be how many people arrive safely at their destinations.

A better road is a gift. Let us honour that investment with patience, discipline and respect for every life that travels upon it.