Speed: Key risk in traffic accidents
Government through the Ministry of Transport and Communication has developed a Speed Management Plan in an effort to address road safety challenges.
The Plan is also as a result of studies that prove that implementation of Speed Management Plans contribute significantly in the reduction of road traffic deaths around the world.
Minister of Transport and Communication, Thulaganyo Segokgo said at an occasion to mark the launch of the 6th United Nations Global Road Safety Week commemorated from this week, that Botswana is among the few countries that have legislated on the 30km/ h speed.
The commemoration theme, ‘ Streets for Life # 30’ calls upon UN Members States to adopt and implement a 30km/ h speed limit for cities, towns and villages during the week of May 17 to May 23, 2021 dedicated for road safety, especially in densely populated areas where people live, work, and play. In this way, the UN believes cities will be safer for communities, and have positive impact towards the environment.
According to regulation 24. ( 1) Of the Road Traffic Act Part III. “A speed limit of 30km/ h applies in respect of any length of road situated next to a school or playground zone”.
According to the World Health Organisation, a 1 km/ hr increase in average speed results in a three percent higher risk of injury due to a crash, and a four to five percentage higher risk of a fatality due to a crash. This is because higher speeds require a greater stopping distance, resulting in increased stopping times.
“Road safety remains one of the developmental challenges for our country Botswana, and requires a multi- sectoral approach that is research- based to ensure that decisions and polices enacted are well informed,” Segokgo said.
According to Segokgo, a Road
Safety Audit Team made up of different stakeholders conducted road assessment in some of the selected schools built up areas in Gaborone. The objective of the assessment was to come up with evidence- based solutions to the challenges identified around the schools. Among the schools that were assessed include Camp, Ithuteng, Masa, Tshiamo, Notwane, Boikhutso, Bontleng and Lesedi Primary Schools.
Some of the common findings in most schools were faded road markings, missing road signs along the school road, potentially putting the children at high risk. Recommendations were made to erect all missing road signs, and speed humps as well as to repaint faded road markings. “The recommendations of the conducted road assessment have since been implemented,” Segokgo said.
According to the Director – Traffic Division Botswana Police, Katlholo Mosimanegape Botswana is among the top countries that have mostly been affected by a high rate of traffic accidents, with Seychelles and Mauritius as some of the least.
He reported that in 2020, 15 075 general crashes were recorded on Botswana roads with 325 deaths – 74 pedestrians, 118 drivers and 133 passengers.
He highlights that there is a rise in traffic road accidents especially during weekends. So far this year, 132 lives have been lost from January to date, while there were 95 in the same period in 2020.
UN Resident Coordinator, Zia Choubghury says speed is a key risk in traffic accidents, stating that excess speed is attributed to one in three deaths that occur on roads. He said UN has adopted a wholestic approach towards road safety incorporating all elements including design of roads, behavioral problems and policing among others. “We also promote walking, cycling and others that will ensure greener, safer and livable cities,” Choubghury said.