Staff Reporter
A TOTAL of 229 lives were lost in just the first six months of the year.
The high death toll on Namibian roads comes at a time when the country remains divided over the installation of speed humps on the capital’s Western Bypass freeway due to high pedestrian crash rates.
The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, while sharing the road crash statistics, has called on road users to take personal responsibility for making the country’s roads safer.
“A total of 1,333 crashes, 2,273 injuries and 229 fatalities have been recorded nationwide so far this year. Compared with the same period in 2025, crashes have declined by 11% (from 1,500), injuries by 9% (from 2,486), and fatalities by 6% (from 243),” John Haufiku, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the MVA Fund, said in a media statement.
Haufiku said that road crashes not only affect those directly involved but also leave lasting emotional, social and economic consequences for families and communities across Namibia.
“The week under review, from 15 to 21 June 2026, recorded 45 crashes, 84 injuries and 8 fatalities. Although these weekly figures show improvement compared with previous years, the loss of 8 lives in a single week serves as a reminder that road safety remains one of the country’s most pressing public concerns,” Haufiku said.
He added that particularly concerning is the continued vulnerability of pedestrians.
“A total of 489 pedestrian-related crashes were recorded between 1 January and 21 June 2026, resulting in 203 injuries and 37 fatalities. Although no pedestrian fatalities were recorded, these incidents highlight the ongoing risks faced by some of the most vulnerable road users. The data also shows that young adults remain disproportionately affected by road crashes. During the reporting week, the highest number of fatalities occurred among those aged 25 to 29, and this age group also recorded the highest number of injuries,” Haufiku said.
He added that regionally, the Khomas Region recorded the highest number of crashes year-to-date, with 493, followed by Erongo with 171 and Otjozondjupa with 130. While some regions have shown improvement, others continue to face significant challenges, underscoring that road safety remains a national issue requiring collective action.
“Moreover, the MVA Fund continues to intensify its road safety and awareness efforts across the country through community outreach programmes, school engagements, stakeholder partnerships, public education campaigns and targeted interventions along high-risk corridors. These initiatives promote responsible road-user behaviour, including adherence to speed limits, seat-belt use, pedestrian safety, sober driving, vehicle roadworthiness and awareness of the dangers of distracted driving,” Haufiku said.
He also noted that the Fund believes that lasting improvements in road safety can only be achieved when every road user recognises that their decisions behind the wheel, on a motorcycle, on a bicycle or as a pedestrian have consequences that extend beyond themselves.
“The statistics show that progress is possible, but they also remind us that far too many lives are still lost on our roads. Every crash prevented spares a family from tragedy. Every life saved is a victory for Namibia. Road safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or road safety institutions; it is a shared responsibility that requires a change in behaviour among all road users,” said Haufiku.
Photo: Accidents In Namibia
