Police have renewed calls for motorists to avoid drinking and driving following a crash in Ha Mpiti that has raised concerns over reckless behaviour on the roads.
The appeal was made by Qacha’s Nek Police Traffic Officer, Woman Police Constable (W/PC) ‘Malineo Damane-Koloi, during an interview with LENA on Wednesday, after an accident involving a 4+1 taxi driver from Leropong and a truck working on the ongoing Mpiti-Qacha’s Nek border gate road rehabilitation project.
According to preliminary findings, the taxi driver is suspected of colliding with the truck. WPC Damane-Koloi explained that while the driver claimed the truck had been in his lane, evidence from skid marks suggested otherwise, indicating that the taxi may have veered into the truck’s path.
“The driver was drunk. When tested, his alcohol level was 228mg per 100ml, which is far above the limit. Normally, alcohol consumption should not exceed 100mg,” she said.
No injuries were reported, though both vehicles were damaged, with the taxi sustaining severe damage.
The police have since opened two cases against the driver: reckless and negligent driving, as well as driving under the influence, in contravention of Section 90(1)(4)(a)(b) of the Road Traffic Act No. 8 of 1981. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspect is expected to appear in court upon completion.
Under the Act, reckless driving carries a penalty of up to M2000 or two years’ imprisonment, while negligent driving may result in a fine of M1000 or up to one year in prison.
WPC Damane-Koloi stressed that the ongoing roadworks increase the risk of accidents and require heightened vigilance from drivers. “People must slow down, stay alert, and most importantly, never drink and drive, especially on roads under construction,” she said.
Road safety statistics continue to paint a worrying picture.
According to the Road Safety Department and police records, Lesotho recorded 4,274 road accidents in 2007, rising to 5,538 in 2013 before slightly declining to 5,236 in 2015. December, March, and April consistently record the highest fatalities each year.
In 2015, Qacha’s Nek recorded the highest proportion of road deaths at 23.2 percent, followed by Mokhotlong at 15.2 percent, while Mohale’s Hoek recorded the lowest at 5.6 percent. Between 2016 and 2019, the country averaged about 4,000 accidents annually, though the number dropped to 2,563 in 2020, largely attributed to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that reckless and drunk driving not only endangers lives but also undermines infrastructure development efforts meant to improve road safety for all.
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