266 PEOPLE DEAD: MVA, KBL collaborate towards behavioural change
In a bid to curb drunk driving, the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund has partnered with Kgalagadi Breweries Limited in a campaign to inculcate behavioural change on the country’s roads.
Since the beginning of this year, at least 266 people have died in road accidents until the 4th of September 2022, compared to 221 lives recorded in the corresponding period in 2021.
MVA Fund CEO, Michael Tlhagwane said the partnership would enhance efforts by the two entities to educate the public about road safety and the reduction of drunken driving.
According to Tlhagwane, despite their concerted efforts to invest in the promotion of road traffic safety, the figures are high. He added that the many road accidents are attributable to behavioral factors, which account for around 90 percent of road traffic deaths.
He said MVA is pleased to partner with KBL in their endeavour to promote road safety and save precious lives.
Meanwhile, KBL Managing Director, Carlos Bernitt said road safety is a
very important issue to his organisation, noting that most of their consumers are road users.
He said the three-yearlong relationship between MVA will promote road safety in Botswana by providing support to those affected by road accidents and raising awareness to influence positive road usage.
He said the Memorandum of Understanding would provide a framework for constructive cooperation and communication between the two organisations to bring meaningful change on the roads to save lives.
Bernitt noted that impaired driving is an important road safety factor
to address and unequivocally believes that when one drinks they should not drive.
KBL has therefore invested in smart drinking campaigns to positively influence consumer behaviour and social norms where drinking is involved.
“This partnership will commit to creating effective change to making Botswana roads safer for all road users and with MVA’s extensive knowledge present an opportunity to extend our road safety initiatives beyond awarenessraising campaigns and use available resources to help identify long-term solutions to road safety challenges,” Bernitt said.