Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. In Botswana, increased development and motorization have brought increased road traffic-related death rates. Between and , the road traffic-related death rate in Botswana more than tripled. The country has taken several steps over the last several years to address the growing burden of road traffic crashes and particularly to address the burden of alcohol-related crashes. This study examines the impact of the implementation of alcohol and road safety-related policies on crash rates, including overall crash rates, fatal crash rates, and single-vehicle nighttime fatal SVNF crash rates, in Botswana from to Additionally, there were significant declines in average fatal crash and SVNF crash rates in early While it is unclear which of the policies or activities contributed to these declines and to what extent, these reductions are likely the result of several, combined efforts.
More than 1. The disproportionate road traffic injury burden of LMICs is further evident in regional death rates. Increased death rates in LMICs are driven, at least in part, by rapid motorization with a lack of concomitant road safety strategy implementation and safe road infrastructure development Borowy, ; WHO, In Botswana, the situation is similar.
Botswana is a middle income country with approximately 2 million people WHO Between and , the road traffic-related death rate in Botswana more than tripled from 9. Over the last several years, the Government of Botswana has taken several steps to address both the overall growing burden of road traffic crashes and more specifically the problem of alcohol-related crashes, as part of a larger national effort to reduce alcohol use and abuse.
The purpose of the levy was to reduce alcohol consumption and related harms, including alcohol-impaired driving. Funds from the levy were designated to support programs targeting alcohol abuse and related harms. The Amendment again called for funds raised by the levy to be used to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms, including supporting police efforts to curb alcohol-impaired driving.
Legislation specifically aimed at improving overall road safety was also adopted during this time period. In April , the Road Traffic Act of went into effect, increasing penalties and fines for several road traffic offenses, including driving without a license, speeding, alcohol-impaired driving, and failure to obey traffic signs and signals, among others. Under this new law, fines increased, nearly doubling for some offenses. Findings from studies examining the effects of similar alcohol and road traffic policies on road traffic-related injuries and deaths have been mixed.
