480 road accidents caused by stray cattle

MBABANE – The Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) has sternly warned cattle farmers to keep an eye on their livestock after 480 road accidents were caused by stray cattle since January.

This was disclosed by Sergeant Phindile Vilakati on national radio. She said the rate of stray cattle that cause accidents has increased to alarming levels that required a collaborated effort by motorists, farmers and the police to reduce the number of accidents caused by stray cattle.

“We appeal to farmers to be extra cautious in terms of keeping their cattle out of the roads in order to reduce the number of accidents. The police would also like to urge members of the public to drive away cattle from public roads to avoid accidents if they come across any,” said Vilakati. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently said four per cent of all deaths globally could be attributed to alcohol.

Major

International Police also attested to that drink-driving had been a major cause of most road accidents. They recommended that increasing the alcohol consumption age limit from 18 to 21 would discourage the youth from imbibing the ‘waters of imortality.’ The South African government recently announced that it considered raising the legal age to consume alcohol from 18 to 21.

South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said 10 government ministries were working on measures to reduce harm caused by alcohol consumption, SAFM reported. Another proposal was that motorists must not consume any alcohol before driving.

Addressing a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting on risk factors for non-communicable diseases, Motsoaledi said other measures to be considered included a ban on alcohol advertising and a review of alcohol pricing.

He commended the Gauteng Provincial Government for the changes it intended to make with regard to alcohol laws in the province, which could include not selling alcohol on Sundays.
Motsoaledi said there might be a fight over the changes, but government was prepared for it.

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