LAST week was a dark day for Lesotho with 13 people painfully losing their lives in two tragic road accidents that have plunged the nation into collective mourning.
The accidents happened at two spots just 300 metres apart in Ha-Molipa in Kolonyama.
Victims of the first accident on Saturday morning were burnt beyond recognition when their three vehicles rammed into each other before bursting into flames.
The two who died on Tuesday, just after dusk, were hit from behind by a speeding vehicle.
We send our condolences to the families that lost loved ones.
In moments of grief, it would be easier to seek to ascribe supernatural forces to the recent events. That there is some kind of “evil spirit” and that the place needs to be exorcised of such “evil spirits”.
Such a conclusion would be a simplistic take on what is a tragic situation. In fact, we would want to argue that there could be a rational explanation as to what could be contributing to the high number of accidents on our roads.
Without specifically referring to the Kolonyama accidents, it is a well-known fact that some drivers take to the wheel under the influence of alcohol, particularly towards weekends.
Others speed and violate traffic regulations, especially overtaking where they should not. The recklessness we see on our roads is shocking. The violation of traffic rules is common on our roads.
Yet there is very little enforcement of road rules by the police. When the police stop you on the road, all they are looking for is an excuse to extract some petty bribe.
The result is that unroadworthy vehicles remain on our roads. So do intoxicated and even unqualified drivers.
Of course, accidents do happen but much of the carnage on Lesotho’s roads can be avoided by vigilant and honest policing.
Corruption on the roads is costing us dearly as a nation.
As we mourn the loss of lives, we must embark on a collective search for solutions if we are to stem the recklessness and corruption on our roads.
That should start with a stringent enforcement of traffic rules.
The road authorities may need to identify accident hot spots in Lesotho and increase signage, warning motorists to increase vigilance. It works well in South Africa with clear signs that you are now entering a high accident zone.
It is unfortunate that critical road furniture is also being vandalised at an alarming rate.
Another key issue of concern is the lax drivers’ licensing system. We need to revamp the entire system as to how drivers’ licences are issued in Lesotho.
The learner’s driving system is not working. The result is that we have thousands of new drivers who can hardly drive properly in Lesotho.
Look at how they struggle to reverse or do parallel parking in Maseru’s CBD.
The issue is that some are buying their drivers’ licences and becoming a danger not just to themselves but to other road users.
The corruption in the issuance of drivers’ licences need to be weeded out promptly.
Adding to this mess are the corrupt officials at the traffic department who allow unroadworthy vehicles to pass.
We are saying ending the bloodbath on our road begins with enforcing rules and systems. And that includes people being responsible on the roads.
