Gov’t blames A3 accidents on driver behaviour
A3 death-trap claims 65 lives in two years
Although the 300km unmotorable Nata-Maun road, also known as the A3 road, and more recently labelled as the death trap, is in a dilapidated condition, government has blamed most of the accidents on driver behaviour.
Responding to questions in Parliament recently, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Eric Molale says their investigations have shown that most accidents could have been prevented. While people have often attributed the accidents to the dreadful state of the road, Molale begged to differ, calling people to be exemplary and also spread the message of road safety in public gatherings.
He was responding to a question from Nata/Gweta Member of Parliament, Polson Majaga who had asked the minister to explain the nature and number of road accidents that have happened in the past two years along the A3 road.
Molale revealed that 65 people lost their lives as a result of accidents along the A3 road in the past two years.
“A total of 201 traffic crashes were recorded during this period (i.e. 20222023). Out of this total, 21 were fatal crashes, 18 serious crashes, and 46 minor crashes while 116 crashes recorded were of damage only. On the same note, a total of 221 casualties were recorded out of which 65 were fatalities, 70 sustained serious injuries,” he added. Asked when his Ministry would start construction of the A3 road since it is included in the current financial year, Molale further disclosed that preparations for the construction were on track.
“Feasibility studies and design works have commenced and actual construction is expected to start on or before April next year,” he said.
In last week’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Mokgweetsi Masisi revealed that the A3 is amongst the roads earmarked for implementation of the Development Manager Model. The President added works on the road will commence during this financial year.
“The following roads will be reconstructed: Francistown-Nata (200km); Nata-Pandamantenga road (64km); Nata-Gweta (100km); the Maun-Sehithwa-Mohembo (149km); Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mankgodi (27km), and Palapye-Martin’s Drift (111km),” he said. Masisi further expressed that safety on Botswana roads continues to be a major concern as seen in the latest spate of injuries and high fatalities. Masisi last month told a Kgotla meeting in Masunga that funds to reconstruct the A3 road were available.
“A3 is going to be constructed, funds are available, and we are not saying we are going to ask for funds.
All that is left is truth, hard work and we leave it to the experts. As politicians, we have done our job by collecting the funds. We have fulfilled our promises,” he said.