SALAJWE, BOTSWANA // Victor Paledi, Botswana's director of Road Traffic, has described the dangers evident on the southern African nation's roads as "unacceptable."
The most recent and comprehensive road accident statistics were compiled in 2007 and they revealed that 17 people lost their lives in road accidents for every 10,000 vehicles registered.
Of the 497 fatalities in 2007, 31 pedestrians were killed. That figure rose to 107 in 2008.
Paledi expressed dismay that a higher duty imposed on alcohol sales coupled with increased police patrols have not reduced incidents of drunk driving.
A total of 1,095 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol were made in 2008, while this year the figure has already reached 1,227.
Paledi says that lowering the death toll on Botswana's roads can only be achieved if all motorists take driving seriously and the younger generation are educated further on the importance of road safety.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.