Gaborone centre of road crashes - MVAF Report

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Friday February 25, 2011 00:00

The report has revealed that a total of 12, 905, which translates into 64.4 percent, crashes occurred within a 100km radius from Gaborone, where there is the highest vehicle density.

Other areas with the highest accident rates are Serowe, Francistown, Kanye and Molepolole, while those least affected by road crashes are Kasane, Ghanzi and Tsabong.

Poor signage, potholes, narrow roads, poor maintenance of roads, road markings and failure to de-bush roadsides have been pin pointed as a contributory factors to the road crashes in the country. The report has also blamed inexperienced drivers, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, ignorance of traffic rules and regulations, and reluctance to use safety belts and child restraints.

It highlights that human factors are the chief causes of road crashes. It says that during the year ended December 31st, 2009 Botswana's traffic safety situation did not improve as it reflects an average of 26.3 people being killed per 100,000 population, compared to 25.6 the previous year.

'The fact that the average rate of increase for the period 1999-2009 stands at 1.4 persons per 100,000 population is a clear indication that a downward trend could be achieved if effective synergies are in place', the report says. There has been a steady increase in the number of vehicles registered in Botswana and the corresponding road crashes from 2005 to 2009, the report notes.

On a brighter note, the report states that despite the increase in road crashes there has also been a significant improvement in the road safety situation.

'In the same five-year period fatalities per 10,000 vehicles declined by 29 percent from 18.2 to 13 while fatalities per 100,000 population has remained at the same level. It is through concerted effort with other stakeholders such as the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS), Botswana Police Services, as well as strategic relations with interested private companies, that these positive results were realised,' the report concludes.