Close to 100 dead on the roads

Close to 100 dead on the roads JANA-MARI SMITH

Twenty-nine people died on Namibian roads between December 27 and Monday, raising the festive season death toll to 94.

Although there has been a significant decrease in the number of crashes (9%) and injuries (16%) compared to the previous year, the number of fatalities remains the same.

In the previous year, 95 people died in crashes between 22 November and 2 January.

In the seven days between December 27 and January 2, NamPol’s traffic department issued 962 traffic fines totalling N$861 250. The most common offences were speeding, driving without a driving licence and driving without seatbelts.

Since the start of the festive season on 22 November, traffic officers have issued a total of 7 669 fines valued at roughly N$8.3 million.

Statistics released by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund show that between 22 November and Monday this week, a total of 480 car crashes were recorded, compared to 530 crashes recorded last year during the same period.

The number of injured people dropped from 1 062 to 894 this festive season.

Roll-overs were the main type of accident, followed by collisions and pedestrian accidents.

Of the 94 recorded fatalities, 66% were male. Last year, 71% of the road deaths were male.

The highest number of fatalities was recorded in the Otjozondjupa Region, where 14 died, followed by 12 deaths each in the Khomas and Kunene regions, and 10 fatalities each in the Omusati and Oshana regions.

Nine people died in Ohangwena, seven in the Hardap Region, five each in the Oshikoto and Omaheke regions, and three each in the //Karas, Erongo and Zambezi regions.

Traffic officers this year stopped 103 199 vehicles over the festive season, tested 21 542 drivers for alcohol and conducted 13 065 roadworthy inspections at roadblocks.

According to the traffic records released by NamPol yesterday, 132 people were arrested on drunken driving charges, the majority in the Karas Region (30), followed by 26 arrests in the Erongo Region and 21 in the Kavango East Region.