More lives lost to Mahalapye blackspot

Bonte Seepi | Thursday November 9, 2017 08:40

The fatalities are an increase from 28 recorded for the same period last year.

In the latest incident, four people lost their lives on Saturday near Palla Road in a horrific accident involving a Nissan March and a bus.

Mahalapye district traffic officer, Superintendent Kgosienalerona Sechoni told Mmegi that police were bracing for even more accidents in the days to come as statistics show that the accidents rise over the festive season. “Road safety is a problem in Mahalapye and surrounding areas and I can attest that most of these accidents are concentrated along the busy A1 highway,” said Sechoni.

“Most of the accidents are caused by overspeeding, fatigue and failure to put on seat belts. “In fact, most deaths are caused by the failure to wear seatbelts and it appears that despite our messages on safety, the numbers are continuing to increase.”

Sechoni said the last 60 days of the year statistically had the most accidents as people would already be excited in anticipation of the festive season. In addition, the period coincides with high traffic, excitement and more money in drivers’ pockets, leading to recklessness.

Sechoni also decried accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, revealing that to date, police have recorded four deaths. He said such accidents tended to involve elderly people ranging between 46 and 58-year olds. “It is worrying because in most of the incidents, the deceased were the ones who were at fault, which is bad and most of the incidents took place within the village. It seems like the elderly need to be taught basic road signs so that they can avoid unnecessary accidents,” he said.