Molepolole (BOPA) – Director in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Mr Kgosietsile Ngakaagae has expressed concern over the disproportionate number of men dying in road traffic accidents, saying statistics had shown that men accounted for more than seven out of every 10 road crash fatalities in Botswana.
Addressing participants at the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund Men’s Road Safety Pitso at Ntsweng Heritage Site in Molepolole recently, Mr Ngakaagae said between 2021 and 2025, Botswana recorded 1 887 road traffic deaths, of which 1 349 were men, representing 71 per cent of all fatalities, while women accounted for 538 deaths or 29 per cent.
He said the statistics pointed to a worrying trend that required urgent intervention.
“Road fatalities do not merely add to road accidents statistics, but a concerning loss to the nation as the victims represented fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, friends and breadwinners whose deaths left lasting emotional and economic consequences on families and communities,” he said.
He said findings from the MVA Fund’s 2024 Road User Risk Awareness Survey, indicated that 25.6 per cent of male drivers admitted driving after consuming alcohol compared to 17.7 per cent of female drivers, while 61 per cent of male drivers exceeded speed limits against 49.4 per cent of women.
He also noted that only 57.7 per cent of men observed during the 2026 Road User Behaviour Observational Study wore seat-belts compared to 78.5 per cent of women.
Mr Ngakaagae urged men to redefine masculinity by rejecting risky road behaviour, saying true courage was demonstrated through responsible choices such as refusing to drink and drive, wearing seat-belts, observing speed limits and protecting the lives of passengers.
He further highlighted the economic impact of road crashes, revealing that the MVA Fund spent about P300 million annually on claims related to road traffic injuries, excluding costs borne by government hospitals, emergency services, police investigations, insurance, vehicle repairs and lost productivity.
Mr Ngakaagae called on men to become role models in their homes and communities by promoting safe driving habits and holding one another accountable for irresponsible behaviour on the roads.
He further urged men to introspect, stop the needless deaths, reminding them that their lives were valuable to their loved ones.
He emphasised that fatigue, over speeding and drunken driving were the main contributors to road accidents and fatalities amongst others.
He said the Men’s Road Safety Pitso should serve as a turning point in changing attitudes and reducing preventable road deaths.
However, Mr Ngakaagae called for tougher actions against road traffic offenders, including targeting crime enablers or vehicles used in facilitating reckless driving.
He was of the notion that traffic laws be revisited, stating that impounding of motor vehicle should be considered rather than charging traffic offenders.
Kgosi Kgari Sechele III of Bakwena said most reckless drivers were mostly youngsters hence, he encouraged older and experienced men to mentor young drivers.
Moreover, during the Pitso there was also a panel of discussions where panelists centred on raising boys into responsible men.
One of the panelists, Kgosi Kgosikwena Sebele said the current generation had lost the culture as they no longer had interest in attending kgotla forums, where boys interacted with old men to learn responsible behaviour.
“They get law from beer halls. Every time when they are free they go to bars. During our youth, we would often find ourselves rejoicing as we sat around the fire at the kgotla, learning life skills from the old men.
“They taught us how to be great men both as family leaders as well as within the community,” said Kgosi Kgosikwena.
The acting General Manager of Corporate Services at MVA Fund, Mr Tshepiso Mmoloke said they faced challenges posed by road accidents.
-BOPA
