Reckless driving on the A1 road

KEABETSWE NEWEL
Correspondent | Friday November 26, 2010 00:00

Last week I traveled a 484km journey from Gaborone to Francistown that lasted three and half hours.   The bus left Gaborone just after 11 AM, moving at a speed that gave hope of arriving well within the prescribed hours. Just before Artesia, the bus had a breakdown to the disappointment of the passengers.

It began as a joke as I pulled my heavily loaded suitcase along the road, hopelessly hoping to find transport considering that I was in a hurry to get to my final destination. Suddenly a Toyota Hilux VVT-I came to a halt just in front of the swarming crowd lining the road. The driver got out untying the Toney cover for hikers going to Francistown.

Out of desperation I jumped to the back throwing in my suitcase in the process. A young man also came aboard with two women and a middle-aged man who also seemed eager to reach Francistown. It was around 12noon as the VVT-I engine roared to life as the driver accelerated.

Together with my fellow passengers we settled down as best as we could in the bakkie and tried to avoid the hard wind from hitting our faces as the car sped away. Within a reasonable space of time we were soon approaching Mahalapye, much to our surprise.

While some of the passengers had fast retrieved their comforters and blankets from their bags to use as protection against the wind, it was a lost battle as we resigned ourselves to the mercy of the natural elements which were not made any easier by the high speed of the car we were traveling in.

As the journey continued, a black Audi A4 suddenly came in sight as it closed in behind the Toyota Hilux VVT-I that we were traveling in. Suddenly our VVT-I picked up speed as the engine's roar rose above the wind. It overtook several cars on the road. I then noticed that the black Audi had also picked up speed closing in the gap.Suddenly a white Toyota Camry emerged in front of the VVT-I and we overtook it leaving behind the persistent Audi. I then noticed that the race was now between the Camry and the Audi.

Our speeding VVT-I then started overtaking a truck as if to make sure that the tailing Audi would not catch up. More cars were to follow. Just as the A4 tried to overtake the truck, a car emerged in the opposite lane forcing the A4 to ram back sharply to avoid an accident. By this time the VVT-I was widening the gap, making the A4 and the Camry almost invisible.

Just as we thought we were ahead of the pack the Camry sped past us as we entered Palapye. We took a break in Palapye and then took to the road again.  About 20 minutes after Palapye we had overtaken the same black Audi together with the Camry. Then there was a blue Gonow station wagon, which also increased speed after us placing the black Audi after it followed by the white Camry.

Seemingly offended by the station wagon, the Audi then began fighting to resume its previous position, now beginning to drive dangerously as it tried to overtake in areas that were clearly unsuitable. The Audi fought its way through until it overtook the station wagon and tailed the VVT-I once again.

On the journey they overtook every car that they came across, within one and a half hours we were in Tonota village where the Audi took a turn as it headed towards the Total filling station. The station wagon was now invisible. Just as the board written, 'Welcome to Francistown' showed up, I looked at my time which showed that it was now 1545hours.

I realized that it was my first time to reach Francistown in 3 hours 45 minutes from Gaborone. It was only then that my fellow passengers began speaking of the speed we had traveled amid sighs of relief that we had arrived safely.

In an interview with Assistant Superintendent Bonno Mabetha of Kutlwano police station in Francistown about such driving he said; 'Reckless driving is common among drivers. Drivers also compete amongst themselves,' Mabetha said. He said the police have realised that reckless driving is caused by competition amongst drivers who brag about the performance of their cars.

'At times reckless driving is also caused by unfit state of drivers to hit the road as they would have intoxicated themselves and end up speeding and driving recklessly,' He said.

He, however, said that they are attending to the problem by setting speed traps from Ramokgwebana border to Ramatlabama border. According to him speeding and overtaking unnecessarily constitutes reckless driving, which is an offence.

'If a person drives a motor vehicle recklessly or at a speed in a manner that is regarded dangerous to other persons, with regard to all the circumstances of the cases he or she shall be guilty of an offence and shall be fined between P2000 and P10000, and may also face imprisonment of not less than 15 months and not exceeding five years,' Mabetha said.

Mabetha, however, urged people to be careful since the festive season is approaching. 'These days are said to be days of high accidents. Drivers should drive with caution and obey road signs and speed limits,' He advised.He also said that drivers should avoid drinking and driving. Overloading according to him also causes accidents. 'I must also advise pedestrians to be cautious when close to the road for they may never know the state of the drivers. Our festive gift to the drivers is this message which will save their lives if they embrace it,' Mabetha concluded.