Managing Road Traffic Accidents Using a Systems Approach: Case of Botswana - Empirical Review.

Abstract

Road traffic accidents are a menace to human deaths and a single life lost on Botswana roads is one too many. The road traffic injuries have long been considered to be inevitable and caused by random, unpredictable events; documented success stories in road safety are needed to demonstrate that road traffic accidents need not be inevitable and unpredictable, but are avoidable. The systems approach to road traffic accidents (RTAs) acknowledges that there are three factors that contribute to road accidents and these are; road users, vehicles and road system. Specifically, the C-3 systems approach with three phases (creation, cultivation, and conduct) was adopted as a theoretical framework underpinning the study. The major findings from this study indicates that most RTAs are caused by road users through speeding, unlicensed driving, using cell phones whilst driving, alcohol and drug abuse, bad state of mind and healthy, non-use of safety belts and deliberate failure to observe road regulations amongst others. The findings also indicate that mechanically faulty vehicles, unmaintained vehicles, old vehicles, and tyre blowouts are vehicle related factors causing RTAs. Road system conditions involve potholes, stray livestock and road design attributes amongst others. The study employed the desktop research approach. The study came up with a number of recommendations which are important to reduce RTAs and these include educating the public on safe driving habits at both basic education and tertiary education levels as well as punitive policies on road users breaking road traffic laws and regulations has been identified as another recommendation. Stringent measures must be taken against livestock owners who leave stock straying in highways and public roads. In addition, regular road maintenance and vehicle maintenance were found to be of paramount importance in reducing RTAs in Botswana.

Key words: Road traffic accident, Casualty, Traffic safety, Botswana, Drunken driving, Systems approach

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-10-21

Publication date:May 31^st 2020