Windhoek, March 28 –In light of the upcoming Easter holiday long-weekend, the MVA Fund calls upon all road users to
be ‘journey prepared’ in order to avoid loss of life on the roads this Easter Weekend.
Historic data has shown that the likelihood of motor vehicle crashes occurring increases overholiday seasons such as during Independence, mid-term break, public holidays, school holidays
and mostly during the Easter weekend. This period is generally characterized 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. This period has in the past been perceived as one of the darkest weekends in
Namibia as many lives have been lost and many more people left with varying degrees of injuries.
According to crash statistics recorded during the 2023 Easter weekend, five (5) persons
succumbed in 35 crashes, while 106 others sustained various degree of injuries. These figures
represent a zero percent change in crashes, while fatalities increased by two (2) lives lost compared to the same period in 2022.
In view of the above, road safety partners initiated heightened roadblock activations to mitigate the potential consequences of crashes, injuries, and fatalities during Easter. The initiative, which will be 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 Onhangwena), B2 (Otjozondjupa to Erongo), and B6 (Khomas to Omaheke) and B14 (Grootfontein to Gobabis) roads.
Similarly, the Namibian Newspaper Cup will take place in Gobabis (B6 and B14) this weekend with anticipated increased traffic flow on these 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 on the benefits of correctly using safety-belts and child restraints does not eliminate other risks factors such as speeding, drunken-driving and fatigue.
The MVA Fund once again reminds the public to report crashes to the MVA Fund Toll-Free Accident Response Number 9682, as doing so can save a life. The MVA Fund wishes Namibia a happy and crash free Easter Weekend.
African Youth Newspaper
