The chief executive officer of the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA), Cross Kgosidiile has said that last year, the number of people who died in road accidents went down compared to 2007.

Speaking at the launch of the MVA products and services awareness campaign at Mathangwane over the weekend, he said that in 2008, 455 people lost their lives in road accidents, a reduction of 42 from the 2007 figure of 497. "Still in 2008, 20,415 road crashes were recorded nationwide while 1,522 (people) received serious injuries. Of those seriously injured, many other are disabled for life. From January to October 31 (2009), four fatal crashes have occurred in the 30km stretch between Francistown and Mathangwane thus claiming 11 lives and leaving 15 people seriously injured," said Kgosidiile.

He added that each of the tragedies serves as a sharp reminder that everybody has far more work to do in curbing road accidents. "This means working across three E's of Education, Enforcement and Engineering to ensure that these numbers are brought down. This must be the driving impetus in our endeavor to reach Africa's target of 50 percent reduction in road deaths by 2015, which is popularly known as the Accra Declaration of 2005," he explained.

He said it is a matter of great concern and regret that a majority of the road accidents can be prevented. "This observation is buttressed by police reports on crimes committed," said Kgosidiile. He asserted that most traffic offences like speeding, dangerous and risky maneuvers by drivers, driving without licences, overloading and alcohol consumption can be avoided.

Regrettably, the road crash burden falls most heavily on passengers and pedestrians, especially children who are the most vulnerable road users and less protected. For each kilometer traveled, passengers and pedestrians are at a far greater risk than drivers. We have to recognise that as road users, this group needs unwavering protection," Kgosidiile said.

He added that in order to help address the problem of road accidents, the MVAF is embarking on purposeful education programmes. "We also promote occupational road risk and provide traffic education for children at schools," he said.