Road safety efforts paying off

Road safety efforts paying offEfforts to reduce road fatalities over the festive season are paying off, according to the MVA Fund. MVA Fund says campaign yielding good results The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund says the national road-safety campaign is yielding positive results but speeding and reckless driving continue causing crashes.

Giving an overview of the festive season road safety campaign, which started on 22 November and will end on 16 January, MVA Fund spokesperson Kapena Tjombonde said the campaign was yielding favourable results.

Statistics recorded between 22 November and 26 December indicate that crashes have declined by 14%, injuries decreased by 23% and fatalities dropped by 23% compared to last year.

According to Tjombonde crash statistics recorded at the MVA Fund Call Centre from 1 January until 26 December 2016 indicate that 693 people died while 7 034 sustained varying degrees of injuries in 4 025 crashes. This means that crashes have reduced by 5%, injuries by 10% and fatalities by 3% compared to the same period in 2015.

The Fund says even though the statistics were looking better, road users must remain vigilant in order to achieve the 2016/17 road safety campaign's goal of stopping the loss of life. MVA Fund statistics confirm that roll-over crashes accounted for 34% of total motor vehicle crashes recorded during the festive season to date.

“This is a worrisome trend, as speed and driver behaviour contribute to such crashes. Motorists are therefore urged to remain alert and focused at all times in order to safely respond to any hazardous road condition or a sudden emergency on the road,” says Tjombonde.

Between 22 November and 26 December most of the crashes recorded (33%) were in the Khomas Region, followed by Otjozondjupa with 13% and Erongo with 12%.

Tjombonde says roadblocks have been set up around the country since the beginning of the road-safety campaign. Emphasis at roadblocks is placed on the roadworthiness of the vehicle, screening of driving licences, random alcohol testing, passenger safety and road-safety awareness.

He says the Omuthiya Emergency Medical Response Services (EMRS) base has been activated in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Omuthiya town council. The Arandis EMRS base has also been activated in conjunction with Eagle Ambulance Services, the Arandis town council and the business community.

Health service providers were trained in basic life support, and paramedics were deployed to eight state hospitals at Outapi, Oshakati, Keetmanshoop, Rundu, Tsumeb, Onandjokwe, Usakos and Eenhana to assist with trauma management.

Additionally, the Omuthiya and Arandis communities and the police received first responder's training. As part of their pledge to the road-safety campaign, M&Z Motors and Auas Motors donated 15 child seats, which have been distributed at roadblocks as a means of promoting child safety.

“The Fund reminds road users of their responsibility of saving lives. The festive season is a time when family and friends come together to celebrate, thus let us not tarnish this beautiful time with sorrow. The Fund further urges road users to exercise patience and vigilance when using the road, especially now when the roads are wet,” Tjombonde says.

ELLANIE SMIT