The Namibian Police recorded 472 road crashes during the festive season road safety campaign, which runs from 15 November 2024 to 17 January 2025.
According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the police’s national spokesperson, the crashes resulted in 918 injuries and 80 fatalities.
“Contributing factors observed include, driver behaviour and fatigue, drunk and driving, speeding, reckless and negligent driving and disobeying traffic rules,” she said.
Authorities issued 12,227 summonses, 1,867 warnings and suspended 657 vehicles during the campaign. Shikwanbi said drivers are further advised to be prepared for changing weather conditions as rainfall in some areas leads to flash floods which damage road infrastructure and/or make the road surface slippery.
“More people are expected to travel back to various destinations as the festive season concludes next week and schools re-open. Road safety remains a collective responsibility, therefore, the Namibian Police Force is cautioning all road users to remain patient, be alert and obey all traffic rules,” she said.
This comes as Namibia loses over N$1.3 billion annually due to road crashes, with efforts underway to reduce the fatality rate to single digits per 100,000 people.
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund CEO Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, during the campaign launch underscored the importance of collective responsibility in reducing road fatalities. “Last year’s festive season claimed 70 lives. Imagine an entire congregation disappearing; that’s the scale of loss we face. We must change our behaviour on the roads and openly discuss road safety in our homes,” she said.
Campaign activities span multiple regions, targeting identified hotspots with in-person activations and media engagements.
Key regions include Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Kavango East, Oshana and Erongo, with focused efforts to raise awareness about road safety during the festive season and upcoming elections.
“With a current fatality rate of 14 per 100,000 people, Namibia has made progress from the 26-per-100,000 rate recorded a few years ago. This is something to celebrate, but not while losing sight of the fact that these are lives lost,” she said.
