Botswana's Road Safety Push Cuts Traffic Deaths Through 2024
Young people play a crucial role in the Society of Road Safety Ambassadors.
GABORONE, Botswana— Botswana's aggressive road safety campaign has yielded significant results, with traffic accidents dropping from 18,000 in 2011 to approximately 15,300 in 2023, officials reported Wednesday, writes Winston Mwale.
The southern African nation achieved this reduction through a comprehensive strategy that included lowering the legal blood alcohol limit from 0.08% to 0.05% and implementing widespread public education programs.
"When we look at our statistics, we see a lot of accidents now have been reduced," said Pilane Sebigi, Assistant Commissioner of Police.
"Fatal accidents... are decreasing, in large part due to increased traffic police deployment on the roads."
The initiative, overseen by the National Road Safety Committee with WHO advisory support, particularly targets child safety. Children currently account for nearly a quarter of road accident casualties.
"In the club, we teach children how to be safe on the road, how to use the road properly, and how to protect each other to avoid accidents," said Nene Nkwe, a primary school teacher and road safety club coordinator in Gaborone.
Dr. Samuel Kolane, Director of Public Health, emphasized the economic impact of road accidents: "Some families are tipped into poverty because of huge medical expenses."
The country has established road safety committees in schools and districts nationwide while partnering with Johns Hopkins University researchers to develop its National Multi-sectoral Road Safety Plan 2030.
Young people play a crucial role in the Society of Road Safety Ambassadors.
"Young people are the ones who are mostly affected, so it is important for us to have a seat at the table and come up with the solutions," said Galeboe Mothlajoe, the organization's vice chairperson.
The WHO continues supporting Botswana's Motor Vehicle Accident Fund in research and implementation of safety measures, marking the country's commitment to meeting global road safety standards.