The Director of Traffic, Senior Assistant Commissioner Katlholo Mosimanegape has thanked stakeholders for their role in ensuring road safety during the recent festive holidays.

Speaking at a road safety stakeholder’s breakfast meeting in Gaborone recently, Mr Mosimanegape said that their efforts had paid off as preliminary statistics indicate that there was a reduction in the number of road accidents and fatalities recorded during the ended festive season compared to 2011/2012 festive holidays.He said that this success was a result of the stakeholders’ campaigns which were done in partnership with the police.

The Director of Traffic however said that although the police and their efforts are commendable, this should not be a cause for celebration as there were lives that were lost. He urged them to continue to work hard in unity to ensure that lives are not lost on the roads.

Mr Mosimanegape further expressed concern at motorists who continue to over speed, drive whilst drunk and generally violate traffic laws.

For his part, the Director of the Department of Road Transport and Safety, Mr Orapeleng Mosigi revealed that they are in the process of drafting regulations for driving schools and instructors. Mr Mosigi said that through the regulations learners would be taught safer and defensive driving methods so that they do not become hazards on the roads. He encouraged the stakeholders in the road safety drive to work in unity as their shared goal is to have safer roads.

The meeting was attended by representatives from among others Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Ministry of Health, World Health Organization and the Botswana Alcohol Industry Association.