Be cautious of Road Hazards!
In this week’s series feature of the road safety campaign, focus is on the hazards that are found on the road and their contribution to accidents. While the law enforcement officers have often put the blame on careless driving, road unworthy vehicles, speeding and drunken driving, Motorist and other road users have at times put the blame on the state of the roads as the cause, citing firstly potholes, unmarked roads, animals among the major hazards on the roads responsible for road accidents.
Our regular guest – Assistant Superintendent Nelson Kelebetse – Maun police station traffic officer provides an in-depth on road hazards. Kelebetse shares that road hazards refers to everything that can obstruct a driver’s safe driving.
This according to him can be something that is moving, an obstacle on the road or something that is human created. He therefore cautions drivers to always be mindful of road hazards every time when they are driving so as to avoid causing accidents.
“By road hazards we are referring to everything that when you are driving it can cause danger to you or other road users,” he added.
Kelebetse adds that driving under the influence of alcohol or not being competent in one’s driving can also be termed as a road hazard.
He further cautioned about obstacles on the road every time when driving and these he explained can be animals, defects to the vehicle or any defects that one may see on the road such as potholes. Kelebetse pleaded with the drivers to be mindful of hazards which he says will also determine how they drive and what safety a driver must take precautions to.
“When driving at night be mindful of animals that are roaming around and make sure that your beams both high and driving ones are properly working,” Kelebetse said, pleading with drivers to know as to when they should apply either of the beams.
“We see most people putting on the high beams and as such you become hazards to cars coming in front, you are obstructing the driver to see any other hazards that may be on the road. We appeal to people that when driving they must mind the hazards and their lives as well so that the other road users can see properly.”
He added that people driving at night not minding other road users are also creating hazard to themselves because the other driver would not see and they might avert to their side and an accident may occur.
“There are potholes on the road so drivers should have knowledge of the road they are driving on so as to avoid any accidents,”
Kelebetseng said noting that it of paramount for drivers to do research of the road they will use prior to traveling. In closing the assistant superintendent wishes all safe travels ahead of the holidays.
