“Too Young to Die” Programme results in Botswana school upgrades

Three Botswana schools have been upgraded as part of the “Too Young to Die” Programme and following SR4S assessments in June 2019. This Road Safety project was implemented by Emergency Assist 991 in partnership with FIA Foundation and Society Of Road Safety Ambassadors (SORSA) Botswana and iRAP.

Phase 1 and 2 of the project saw team members trained in the use of the Star Rating for Schools app and then, using the SR4S methodology, Phase 2 involved the assessment of the level of safety around the schools and identifying where safe road infrastructure was required.

During the 3rd phase, safety at the schools has been upgraded with the installation of road signs, pedestrian crossings, speed humps, and a mural painting on the school wall to bring visibility to the school. The 12-month project was funded through the FIA Road Safety Grants Programme which provides support to all FIA members on the ground to meet the objectives of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.

The project aimed to:

• Reduce child pedestrian injuries and deaths on Botswana’s roads, especially on those roads leading to schools;
• Introduce use of iRAP Star Rating for Schools to guide infrastructure improvements and to encourage long term strategic investment in safety by local government;
• Contribute towards achieving the country’s national road safety strategy, in support of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020.

With the completion of the project, Emergency Assist 991 Managing Director – Simon Modiseamang handed over the “Too Young To Die “ road safety project to Itumeleng, Taung and Mogoditshane Primary Schools on the 30th October 2020.

In attendance and sharing great appreciation for the project was Minister of Nationality, Immigration & Gender Affairs, Honourable Anna Maria Mokgethi, Director of Department of Road Safety , Mr Mokakangwe from MVA Fund and other Officials.

Certificates of Participation were also awarded to Itumeleng, Taung and Mogoditshane Primary Schools.

Relevant Links:

• https://www.afoundation.org/about-us
• https://www.facebook.com/sorsaBW
• https://emergencyassist.co.bw/journey-to-saferroadsto-schools-with-irap/
• https://starratingforschools.org/sr4s-helping-to-improve-child-pedestrian-safety-in-botswana/
• https://emergencyassist.co.bw/too-young-to-die-project-completed-botswana/

Image credit above: Emergency Assist 991