Fatal car crashes worry top cop

Kabelo Dipholo
CONCERNED: Bonang

* 354 deaths registered in Northern division since 2017

Northern Divisional Traffic Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Modisaotsile Bonang has warned motorists to exercise caution and observe road signs as they get into the festive mood.

Speaking at the 2020 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in Francistown on Sunday, Bonang said the country continues to witness an upsurge in the number of crashes on the roads, resulting in fatalities as well as serious and minor injuries.

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According to the Assistant Commissioner, in the last four years, 9, 404 road accidents have been recorded in the northern region alone, with 354 casualties.

The Day of Remembrance is dedicated to the memory of those who have been killed or injured in road crashes. The event follows a 2005 resolution by the United Nations General Assembly.

Bonang told a small gathering at the commemorations that most road accidents are caused by risk-taking behavior, such as dangerous overtaking and excessive speed.

He revealed that since January, 1, 601 accidents have been recorded in his division with 63 people losing their lives this year.

In 2019, the northern division recorded 2, 694 accidents in which 101 people died. 93 fatalities from 2, 439 accidents recorded in 2018, while in 2017 the division logged 2, 670 accidents and 97 fatalities.

“These statistics are astounding, to say the least. It is incumbent upon all of us, as Road Safety Stakeholders, that we should up our game and come up with targeted, focused and high impact interventions aimed at reversing this tragic situation for the better,” declared Bonang.

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The top cop further revealed his office recently undertook a joint law enforcement operation with the Department of Road Traffic and Safety (DRTS) on a number of road traffic offenses.

He said 36 people were caught driving without a driver’s licence, 51 were found driving motor vehicles with smooth tyres and 26 were charged for operating PSV without a roadworthiness certificate.

“These offenses are clear indicators of the risk level we’re exposed to as road users and yet they’re avoidable,” he said.

Bonang urged motorists to change their behavior and attitudes in order to achieve the goal of reducing road accidents by 50 percent as per the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

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