With road crashes on the rise in Botswana, the Maun branch of the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund has appealed for heightened vigilance on the roads during the upcoming Independence holidays.
Branch Manager Cecil Mosojane said the Fund has intensified its road safety campaigns in partnership with the Maun Road Safety Committee and local social clubs, recently reaching out to both schoolchildren and the wider public to promote pedestrian safety.
“Our campaigns this holiday will be focused on high-traffic roads, but my message to all drivers is to exercise extra caution whenever they are on the road,” Mosojane said.
He singled out young men as the demographic most at risk, urging them to adopt safer driving habits. “I would like to see men changing behaviour. Yes, I understand the data shows that men are predominantly affected. We would like them to be more vigilant and take safety on the road as paramount,” he stressed.
The MVA Fund is advising motorists to rest adequately before travelling, avoid driving under the influence, and plan journeys in advance to reduce the temptation to overspeed or break the law.
The warning comes as Botswana recorded a sharp rise in road deaths as of August, 2025. According to the Botswana Police Service Traffic Branch, 198 people have died in crashes so far this year, up 9.4% from 181 deaths in 2024.
The Maun area has seen the steepest increase, with 25 fatalities recorded to date, a staggering 127% rise compared to 11 deaths during the same period last year. Pedestrians (9 deaths) and passengers (11 deaths) make up the majority of the casualties, while drivers accounted for five deaths. Men remain disproportionately affected, representing 72% of the fatalities.
Data shows that within the Maun office coverage zone, Maun (9 fatalities) and Boteti (7) together accounted for nearly two-thirds of the deaths, followed by Sehithwa (5), Chobe (2), and Gumare (2). March and June were the deadliest months in the region, with eight and six fatalities respectively.
Nationally, the South Central region recorded the highest number of accidents with 190 cases, followed by North Central (29) and North West (20). In just one week (17–24 August), nine people were killed in crashes, with head-on collisions being the most common cause.
Mosojane concluded by urging drivers to prioritize safety during the Independence break. “We are targeting different groups. But the message is simple ‘safety first’,” he said.
The MVA Fund hopes that with increased awareness and responsible behaviour, the holiday period can be safer for all road users.
