Fatal road traffic accidents are said to have increased across the country during the 2026 Easter holidays, despite a decline in the overall number of accidents, the Botswana Police Service (BPS) has revealed.
According to a statement released recently, fatal accidents rose from five in the previous period to eight this year, representing a total of 60 percent increase. The number of fatalities also increased from six to eight. Despite this rise, the total number of road traffic accidents recorded countrywide decreased by 16 percent, from 202 cases recorded in 2025 to 169 in 2026.
The release further states that injuries increased during the same period. Serious injuries rose by 23 percent from 13 to 16, while minor injuries doubled from 17 to 35. Pedestrians were among those most affected. The release notes that four pedestrians were fatally knocked down by motorists during the holidays.
In one incident that occurred on April 4 in Mogoditshane, a 28-year-old man from Gaborone West was knocked from behind by another motorist while pushing his vehicle to a nearby fuel point. Meanwhile, traffic violations recorded during the period showed a decrease. A total of 7,444 offences were recorded compared to 7,879 in the previous period, reflecting a 5.5 percent decline.
Speeding cases dropped significantly from 1,695 to 1,319, while cases of driving without a licence decreased from 739 to 613. However, the media release highlights an increase in certain offences. Drunk driving cases rose from 291 to 322, while cases of using a cellphone while driving more than doubled from 91 to 216.
Other offences, including careless driving, failure to obey traffic lights, seatbelt violations and failure to produce a driver’s licence, all recorded decreases. It is further stated that unsafe road behaviour, such as drunk driving, speeding, impatience and the use of unroadworthy vehicles, continues to contribute to road traffic accidents.
“Road traffic accidents remain a significant concern in society as they continue to place a heavy burden on lives, often resulting in loss of life, injuries and economic strain,” the release states.
It is further stated that measures such as sporadic roadblocks, public education campaigns and intensified road patrols will continue to be implemented to curb and prevent accidents.
