Maria David
THE Namibian Police Force has recorded a total of 472 road crashes during the period of the road safety campaign.
In comparison to 2023, the 2024 festive season saw an increase in road crashes from 403 to 472, representing a 17.1% rise.
NamPol Head of Public Relations, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said that these crashes resulted in 918 injuries and 89 fatalities. In comparison to 2023, the 2024 festive season fatalities increased from 57 to 89, marking a 56.1% escalation in road-related deaths.
According to Shikwambi, the road crashes occurred during the festive season road safety campaign, which ran from 15 November to 5 January 2024.
She indicated that the contributing factors included driver behaviour and fatigue, driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, reckless and negligent driving, and disobeying traffic rules.
Furthermore, Shikwambi reported that law enforcement issued 1,867 warnings to traffic violators, 12,227 summonses, and suspended 657 vehicles during the campaign.
“More people are expected to travel back to various destinations as the festive season concludes next week, and schools re-open,” she said.
She emphasized that road safety remains a collective responsibility and urged all road users to be patient, stay alert, and obey traffic rules.
Shikwambi also cautioned drivers to be prepared for changing weather conditions, as rainfall in some areas may lead to flash floods that damage road infrastructure and make road surfaces slippery.
