The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund of Namibia says the total number of crashes reported across all regions stood at 2,815 as of 17 November 2024, compared to 2,434 in 2023 and 2,551 in 2022.
This reflects a 16% increase in crashes compared to 2023 and a 10% increase compared to 2022. Injuries have also risen to 5,064 in 2024, compared to 4,642 in 2023 and 4,647 in 2022, marking a 9% increase in both years.
“Fatalities show a marginal rise of 0.3% compared to 2023, with 369 fatalities reported in 2024, slightly up from 368 in 2023. However, fatalities decreased by 8% compared to the 403 fatalities recorded in 2022,” said the MVA in its weekly stats report.
The Khomas, Kavango East and Ohangwena regions experienced significant increases in crashes and injuries year-to-date, while regions such as Zambezi and Kavango West saw decreases in fatalities.
Overall, Khomas led with the highest figures across all categories. Regional data reveals that the //Kharas region reported 66 crashes in 2024, a slight increase from 61 crashes in 2022 but a decline compared to 73 crashes in 2023.
“Injuries in this region totalled 122 in 2024, slightly down from 126 in 2022 and consistent with 118 in 2023, reflecting a 1% decrease on average. Fatalities in //Kharas fell to 12 in 2024, compared to 16 in 2022 and 20 in 2023, representing an 8% decline on average,” noted the fund.
The Erongo region recorded 338 crashes in 2024, up from 305 in 2023 and 270 in 2022, marking a 12% average increase.
“Injuries in Erongo also rose to 602 in 2024, compared to 573 in 2023 and 492 in 2022, representing an 11% increase. Fatalities in the region decreased slightly, with 32 in 2024, compared to 40 in 2023 and 36 in 2022, reflecting a 4% average reduction,” MVA said.
In the Hardap region, 79 crashes were reported in 2024, consistent with the 80 crashes in 2022 but down from 86 in 2023, showing a 0% average change.
“Injuries decreased significantly to 154 in 2024, compared to 199 in 2022 and 254 in 2023, marking a 6% reduction on average. Fatalities also saw a notable decrease to 14 in 2024, compared to 22 in 2022 and 26 in 2023, reflecting an average decline of 14%,” said the MVA.
The fund also noted that the Kavango East region experienced a sharp increase in crashes, with 148 reported in 2024, compared to 80 in 2022 and 78 in 2023, reflecting a 44% average rise.
“Injuries also rose significantly, reaching 300 in 2024, compared to 177 in 2022 and 155 in 2023, an average increase of 41%. Fatalities in Kavango East climbed to 28 in 2024, compared to 22 in both 2022 and 2023, showing a 14% average increase,” said MVA.
For the Kavango West region, crashes decreased to 33 in 2024, down from 52 in 2022 and 43 in 2023, reflecting an average decline of 20%.
Injuries followed a similar trend, with 81 reported in 2024, compared to 88 in 2022 and 76 in 2023, showing an average reduction of 4%.
Fatalities also decreased to 10 in 2024, compared to 14 in 2023 and 13 in 2022, marking a 10% average decline.
In the Khomas region, crashes remained steady with 1,006 crashes in 2024, compared to 1,007 in 2022 and 887 in 2023, reflecting a 1% average increase.
“Injuries rose slightly to 1,542 in 2024, compared to 1,500 in 2022 and 1,347 in 2023, showing a 2% increase on average. Fatalities, however, decreased significantly to 41 in 2024, compared to 57 in 2022 and 39 in 2023, representing a 13% average reduction,” said MVA.
The Ohangwena region recorded 142 crashes in 2024, up significantly from 124 in 2022 and 76 in 2023, resulting in an average increase of 24%.
Injuries also increased to 252 in 2024, compared to 255 in 2022 and 151 in 2023, showing a 13% average rise.
Fatalities in the region declined slightly to 30 in 2024, compared to 42 in 2022 and 21 in 2023, reflecting an average decrease of 4%.
Other regions, including Kunene, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi, demonstrated varying trends in crashes, injuries, and fatalities.