But we should also agree on the paradoxical benefits that accrue from the use of vehicles. That is, far-reaching and tragic consequences in the form of road traffic accidents, deaths and other associated maladies.
For example, the Dailynews of May 26th shows that a total of 175 people were reportedly killed in road traffic accidents as opposed to 156 in the same period, while an additional nine died in the same manner near Pitsane (Dailynews, 2nd June). Others are the three First National Bank employees and two Botswana Defence Force officers who perished in separate road crashes near Capricorn and Mabutsane on the 7th May and 11th June respectively. Obviously, all these people had a meaningful contribution to both the economy and security of Botswana. The question that comes to mind therefore is, how much does it cost to replace the two soldiers, the three bank employees and all the others whose professions we do not know? And of course, how much does it cost to get back a breadwinner killed on the road? These are vexing, problematic but pertinent questions for which no answers can be adequately provided, however the costs are undoubtedly colossal. As the President's Day public holidays approach, let us all pause and think how we can, as a nation, avert the tragedy of deaths resulting from road crashes. More often, when Batswana pack their bags and get into their vehicles to head for their respective hometowns and villages, the atmosphere is that of purpose, joy and festivity. Yet, what is sometimes left from their journeys and holiday period is the carnage of smashed vehicles and a long list of victims.
