MVA Fund pleads for safer driving
Accident statistics show that aggressive, reckless, tired or drunk drivers cause the majority of fatal crashes in Namibia.
Twenty-two people died and 38 were injured in 31 crashes last weekend, the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund announced yesterday.
The weekend of 1 December to 3 December accounted for 54% of the total number of crashes last week.
The 22 fatalities over the weekend represented 96% of the total fatalities recorded during that week, the MVA Fund stated.
The majority of crashes, including the one that claimed the lives of ten people near Okahandja on Sunday night, were collisions and roll-overs.
Collisions killed 12 people and injured seven, while roll-overs killed nine people and injured 15.
“These figures point to the inability of motorists to control their vehicles owing to inadequate driver fitness, with attributes such as fatigue, speed, driving under the influence, inconsiderate and aggressive driving and dangerous overtaking being associated with collisions or roll-over crashes,” the MVA Fund stated.
It urged all drivers to desist from risky behaviour and to be mindful of not just their own safety but that of other road users.
Road users were also urged to exercise “the highest level of tolerance, patience, willingness to share the road as well as to adhere to road signs and regulations.”
On Monday, the MVA Fund confirmed that since the start of the festive season campaign on 22 November, 27 fatalities had been recorded compared to 23 in the same period last year.
The Fund also confirmed that since the beginning of January, 3 660 crashes had resulted in 6 420 injuries and 695 deaths.
The Namibian police on Tuesday confirmed that 5 888 crashes were recorded between April and November, including those without casualties. Over that period, 278 deaths and 1 902 injuries were recorded.
The Fund stated that it would continue to support the families of the deceased.
It requested families to contact the Fund for relevant claims such as funeral grants and loss of support for the dependents of the deceased, as well as loss of income, injury grants and medical expenses for the injured.
The public can report crashes to the MVA Fund accident response number 081 9682.
JANA-MARI SMITH
The weekend of 1 December to 3 December accounted for 54% of the total number of crashes last week.
The 22 fatalities over the weekend represented 96% of the total fatalities recorded during that week, the MVA Fund stated.
The majority of crashes, including the one that claimed the lives of ten people near Okahandja on Sunday night, were collisions and roll-overs.
Collisions killed 12 people and injured seven, while roll-overs killed nine people and injured 15.
“These figures point to the inability of motorists to control their vehicles owing to inadequate driver fitness, with attributes such as fatigue, speed, driving under the influence, inconsiderate and aggressive driving and dangerous overtaking being associated with collisions or roll-over crashes,” the MVA Fund stated.
It urged all drivers to desist from risky behaviour and to be mindful of not just their own safety but that of other road users.
Road users were also urged to exercise “the highest level of tolerance, patience, willingness to share the road as well as to adhere to road signs and regulations.”
On Monday, the MVA Fund confirmed that since the start of the festive season campaign on 22 November, 27 fatalities had been recorded compared to 23 in the same period last year.
The Fund also confirmed that since the beginning of January, 3 660 crashes had resulted in 6 420 injuries and 695 deaths.
The Namibian police on Tuesday confirmed that 5 888 crashes were recorded between April and November, including those without casualties. Over that period, 278 deaths and 1 902 injuries were recorded.
The Fund stated that it would continue to support the families of the deceased.
It requested families to contact the Fund for relevant claims such as funeral grants and loss of support for the dependents of the deceased, as well as loss of income, injury grants and medical expenses for the injured.
The public can report crashes to the MVA Fund accident response number 081 9682.
JANA-MARI SMITH
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article