Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund recorded 443 road crashes between January 2023 and 11 July 2023, resulting in 71 pedestrian deaths and 415 people sustaining injuries of various degrees.
These devastating statistics were shared by MVA’s Manager of Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Hilaria Graig, who revealed that most road crashes recorded between January and mid-July are pedestrian-related. However, she added that the fund’s statistics also indicate that pedestrian-related crashes have declined since 2022.
“Statistics show that pedestrian-related crashes have declined by 22%, injuries by 20% and fatalities by 21% compared to the same period in 2022,” Graig revealed.
She further disclosed that the Khomas Region experienced a decline of 17% in pedestrian-related crashes between 2022 and 2023, while the Erongo Region recorded a 16% decline in pedestrian-related crashes during the same period. Despite this, Graig made it clear that pedestrian-related crashes remain a serious challenge in the country. For this reason, Graig said, MVA continues to prioritize pedestrian safety education, especially school-based road safety education.
“The MVA Fund continues to promote school-based road safety through scholar patrols and school activations at various schools around the country. These activities include safety measures such as advocating for the reduction of speed limits around school zones to 30km/h and the deployment of community road safety marshals at high-risk schools to mitigate crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities of learners,” she added.
Besides this, Graig said, the fund conducts regular pedestrian safety interventions at schools along highways, where they educate learners on the safe way to cross the road.
“Children’s safety is a shared responsibility between the parents or guardians, teachers and the community. Schools can promote road safety by designating appropriate areas such as parking lots, for the loading and offloading of learners while parents can ensure the usage of such areas. Parents and schools are also requested to help children develop road safety skills that will encourage them to become independent and responsible road users,” Graig advised.
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