Africa-Press – Namibia. THE TRAGEDY of road accidents continues to haunt Namibia. Day in and day out, precious lives are lost and injuries sustained on public roads. The major causes are numerous but the most common ones in Namibia are chiefly linked to speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, overtaking on blind spots, tailgating, drowsy (fatigue) driving, deadly curves, and animals on the road, to mention a few.
The problem of road deaths and injuries in Namibia has reached massive proportions. This gives prominence to a common phrase in Otjiherero: “Ozondjira ngaze ravaerue”, which literally means, the roads must be spiritually cleansed, a clear reference to the frequency of the carnage on our roads.
Namibia ranks first in the world in the number of road deaths per 100 000 people according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). A recent study by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute indicates that Namibians are 53% more likely to die in a vehicle collision than from cancer. Namibia records more than 19 000 road accidents a year in which over 700 fatalities occur and over 7 000 people are injured. This has resulted in a serious health problem for a population of about 2,5 million. The impact on citizens in terms of emotional and financial stress is unimaginable. In addition, it costs our government about N$1,3 billion a year.
Globally, road accidents are mainly attributed to poor road infrastructure and weak preventive measures. Despite Namibia’s general excellent road infrastructure, law enforcement agency findings indicate that most of our accidents stem from head-on collisions. This confirms a general perception that Namibians are bad drivers, highly impatient, inconsiderate, reckless, and disregard traffic rules, although accidents by nature are unplanned.
To save lives and reduce injuries, drivers must be reminded that speed kills, and that they have a responsibility to protect life, including their own and those of passengers. They must comply with traffic regulations, including wearing seat belts. Drivers must desist from careless, reckless, boastful and pompous attitudes and stop spinning and racing cars on public roads with their body parts hanging out of vehicles. It not only horrifies onlookers but is a public menace. It is imperative that drivers are uncompromising in exercising self-discipline.
In fact, law enforcement initiatives and prevention measures by the police alone may not have the desired result without the utmost cooperation of drivers and motoring public. Conversely, the police must remain attentive, intensify their patrols, increase their visibility, and haul out the Traffic Management System and, together with relevant stakeholders, heighten public education and engage in road safety initiatives. To contain rogue behaviour by drivers, the licensing authority or the police should prioritise introducing a traffic demerit point system and issue accumulative demerits to drivers on convictions for road traffic offences. Passengers must also fulfil their moral duty by reporting offensive driving incidents.
GRAVEL ROADS Our rural earthen roads are characterised by numerous deficiencies, which make navigation difficult. Their overall quality is far below target value. This is because a large part of the rural road network remains unpaved; mostly gravel, unsealed, unimproved, unsurfaced ‘dirt roads’ without proper alignments, weak bridges, culverts, narrow widths, lack of shoulders and poor maintenance. These factors also contribute to accidents, especially during the rainy season.
Some gravel roads have potholes and mounds of debris caused by termites (ant hills). The problem is that gravel roads can deteriorate quickly, especially in the rainy season. There are issues also surrounding their low initial cost. These include a short life because of erosion and wear and tear, a lack of drainage, and so forth. In addition, gravel roads are rehabilitated at infrequent intervals often with little lasting improvement. It is imperative that rural road planning needs are strengthened and modified to meet current needs.
In summary, no amount of pain, death or bereavement will drastically reduce the carnage on our roads if drivers remain indifferent to traffic rules and insensitive to the value of life. Drivers need to change their attitude and remember that speed kills. Driving is a pleasure, embrace the traffic rules now. Be cautious. There’s no coming back from death. Merry Christmas and a safe 2022!
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