A sobering reality looms over Namibia’s roads: 354 lives were lost in road crashes between 10 January and 10 November 2024. These statistics, shared by Namibian Police Force Commissioner Petrus Swartz during the recent launch of the 2024/25 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Tsumeb, underscore the urgency of intensified efforts to enhance road safety.
Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, CEO of the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, has urged Namibians to come together to combat road carnage as the festive season approaches. Speaking at the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign (FSRSC) fundraising event in Windhoek, she stressed the importance of cultivating a road safety culture among the youth.
“Inculcating a strong road safety culture among the youth is imperative to building a generation of road safety ambassadors. Road safety remains a shared endeavour that requires collaboration from all stakeholders. Achieving reductions in fatalities means prioritising law enforcement on the roads and changing attitudes across the board,” Martins-Hausiku stated.
Namibia has made notable progress in reducing road fatalities, with the rate decreasing from 26 per 100,000 people a few years ago to the current 14 per 100,000. However, Martins-Hausiku highlighted that despite this progress, 369 fatalities have already been recorded in 2024. This is a decrease compared to the 423 lives lost in 2023, but it remains a significant concern.
Reflecting on the devastating toll, she added, “Last year’s festive season claimed 70 lives—imagine losing an entire congregation. This underscores the urgent need to change our behaviour on the roads and openly discuss road safety in our homes.”
Martins-Hausiku acknowledged the critical role of partnerships in achieving road safety goals. “Road safety stakeholders like the MVA Fund and the National Road Safety Council cannot achieve their goals alone. It is crucial to appreciate the partners who support this cause year after year, whether through financial contributions or in-kind donations, such as reflective jackets,” she said.
The campaign aims to reduce road fatalities to a single-digit rate per 100,000 people. National Road Safety Council Executive Secretary Eugene Tendekule emphasised its significance, stating, “The Festive Season Campaign is one of the most important events on Namibia’s road safety calendar.”
While the campaign is nationwide, specific attention will be given to high-risk regions, including Otjozondjupa, Oshana, Erongo, Kavango-East, and Khomas. Strategic measures, such as heightened law enforcement, checkpoints, and roadblocks, will be implemented to mitigate risks on busy routes.
A fundraising event for the campaign raised approximately N$1.1 million, with additional pledges expected from corporate partners. Key contributors included NBL, MTC, Bank Windhoek, Standard Bank, ECB, and the MVA Fund, which pledged N$650,000. Donations will support critical resources such as alcohol screening devices, reflective jackets, refreshments for law enforcement officials, and radio airtime to spread awareness.
The 2024/25 Road Safety Campaign, launched on 15 November in Tsumeb by the Ministry of Works and Transport and key stakeholders, will run until 17 January 2025.
As the festive season brings joy and celebration, the MVA Fund reminds all road users that safety is a shared responsibility. By adhering to traffic rules, planning journeys, and making safe choices, we can ensure that everyone reaches their destinations safely and celebrates with their loved ones.