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Botswana: Road Accidents Defy Vehicle Increase
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
24 July 2008
Posted to the web 24 July 2008
Lawrence Ookeditse
Road crash fatalities are at the same levels as they were 10 years ago in the year 1998 despite a 76 percent increase in the vehicle population. This is according to the MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer, Cross Kgosidiile.
Kgosidiile said this has been the case but there is need to continue efforts to curtain road carnage as every lost life is regrettable.
"Through continuous introspection, it became apparent that our role should be appreciated more by encouraging avoidance of road crashes and saving precious lives.
"We believe this should be our vision as we seek to uplift ourselves to the next phase. At the same time road crash fatality levels are at the 1998 levels despite the vehicle population having increased by 76 percent," urged Kgosidiile. This was a message of encouragement as it shows that while we continue losing lives in road carnage, it can be controlled, if only the message could be heeded and partnerships on road safety strengthened.
"Our partnership with government and other private companies like Shell Oil Botswana, BOMAID, Kgalagadi Breweries and others has been very effective in spreading the road safety message".
He said such partnerships should be augmented by community efforts. Kgosidiile appealed for District Road Safety Committees to include the community to help spread the message. The Charles Hill community was informed that 14,000 people have received assistance at a cost of P300 million since 2001. The fund sets aside P45 million every year to provide assistance to the claimants.
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However, some qualifying beneficiaries do not receive their due claims. "While this amount is high, there are many more who are still left out by the current system due to its strict legal nature and the ignorance of the existence of the fund," Kgosidiile said.
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