Martin Endjala
As the Easter weekend started, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) has reminded road users to be vigilant and prepared when embarking on trips to avoid loss of life on the roads.
According to the Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku historical data has shown that the likelihood of motor vehicle crashes occurring increases over holidays such as during Independence Day celebrations, mid-term breaks for schools, public holidays, school holidays and mostly during the Easter weekend.
“This period is generally characterised by a surge in traffic volumes especially on the B1 route passing through Windhoek leading to either the southern or northern direction while more congestion is expected on the B2 route, leading to the coastal part of the country,” cautioned Martins-Hausiku.
Adding that the Easter Weekend has in the past been perceived as one of the darkest weekends in Namibia as many lives have been lost and many more people have been left with varying degrees of injuries.
According to crash statistics recorded during the 2023 Easter weekend, five persons succumbed in 35 crashes, while 106 others sustained various degrees of injuries. These figures represent a zero percent change in crashes, while fatalities increased by two lives lost compared to the same period in 2022.
As a result, road safety partners have initiated heightened roadblock activations to mitigate the potential consequences of crashes, injuries, and fatalities during Easter.
The initiative, implemented by the Fund in collaboration with traffic law enforcement, will focus on journey preparedness with special emphasis on vehicle and driver fitness and passenger safety along the B1 (Otjozondjupa, Oshikoto, Oshana, and Ohangwena), B2 (Otjozondjupa to Erongo), and B6 (Khomas to Omaheke) and B14 (Grootfontein to Gobabis) roads.
Similarly, the Namibian Newspaper Cup is set to take place in Gobabis this weekend with anticipated increased traffic flow on the B6 and B14 roads.
Furthermore, in its ongoing drive to inculcate a road safety culture in which motorists and passengers travel safely to their destinations, the Fund unceasingly enforces its #ClickForLife Campaign.
The campaign which creates awareness of the benefits of correctly using safety belts and child restraints does not eliminate other risk factors such as speeding, drunken driving and fatigue.
The MVA Fund is therefore reminding the public to report crashes to the Toll-Free Accident Response Number 9682, as doing so can save a life.
The Fund extended its best wishes to all of Namibia for a happy and crash-free Easter weekend.
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