The nation is still reeling in shock at the loss of twenty (20) precious lives due to road traffic fatalities recorded in the weekend of 26th – 28th January 2018. This is undoubtedly a serious tragedy particularly that it comes at the start of the year which is usually a quiet period in road traffic crashes.
The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund would like to extend its deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in road traffic crashes. The month of January 2018 has seen a total of fifty (50) lives lost due to road traffic crashes.
According to reports from Botswana Police Service the year 2017 close with 444 deaths, 1 152 people sustained serious injuries while 4 739 sustained minor injuries. In 2016 there were 450 deaths, 1 243 serious injuries and 4 994 minor injuries. As road users (pedestrians, passengers, drivers and cyclists) we should all take precaution to ensure our safety on the roads. Pedestrians continue to be knocked by vehicles while crossing the road and walking in the roadside. This indicates that there is disregard for pedestrian safety among some drivers and lack of safety awareness by some pedestrians. The use of communication devices such as cell-phones combined with earphones while crossing the road by some pedestrians is a risky behaviour that should be discouraged at all costs as it has contributed significantly to accidents.
