While there have been a number of fatalities in Botswana as a result of badly maintained roads with potholes sprinkled throughout the country’s major thoroughfares, the Botswana Police Service (BPS) has disclosed that human error is also turning the country’s roads into death traps.
In a statement that was shared on their Facebook page, BPS reports that the number of road fatalities in Botswana increased by 100%, with pedestrians making up the majority of the casualties. “A total of 45 people died in 33 fatal road accidents during the period under review, in comparison with 22 who lost their lives in 19 fatal road accidents the same period in 2022/2023. Out of the 45, 14 were drivers, 15 passengers and 16 pedestrians,” states BPS.
Among other things, they highlight that “the majority of the accidents were a result of human error,” adding that “the overall road safety situation depicts an increase in the total number of road traffic accidents recorded countrywide from 440 in 2022/2023 to 687 in 2023/2024 festive season.”
Despite BPS and other stakeholders having made an effort to raise public awareness about road safety, BPS acknowledges that some motorists continued to behave inappropriately on the roadways. “Some motorists continue to speed and drive under the influence of alcohol,” they say.
The Botswana Police traffic division also points out that irresponsible driving and failing to use a seat belt are some of the primary causes of traffic-related fatalities and injuries. When comparing the number of violations between 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, the BPS observes that there was an increase in the occurrence of drunk driving, speeding, driving without a license, reckless driving, not wearing a seat belt, and using a hand-held mobile device while operating a vehicle throughout the period.
Concerns have been raised by citizens and members of parliament (MPs) about the country’s dilapidated roads turning into death traps. The road between Francistown and Nata, the route between Letlhakane and Francistown, and, worst of all, the stretch between Nata and Maun and Nata and Kasane are examples of roads in poor condition. However, if the BPS statement is anything to go by, it suggests that drivers, not badly maintained roads, play a large influence in road casualties.
