WINDHOEK – The past Easter weekend recorded a decline in the number of road accident fatalities, however the number of road accidents and injuries remain a concern, the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund said.
There were only three fatalities from road accidents over the Easter weekend, compared to nine fatalities in 2013 and 14 fatalities in 2012 over Easter.
Although this could be seen as good news, the reverse has taken place when it comes to injuries due to road crashes as the toll rose by 2 percent, with 103 people injured this year and 93 people injured last year.
Khomas Region recorded the highest number of 21 crashes, followed by Erongo with nine crashes, Omusati with six crashes and Otjozondjupa with five crashes. No crashes were recorded in Kavango, Omaheke and Ohangwena regions.
“The MVA Fund remains concerned about the escalating incidents of road crashes as a result of rollovers and pedestrian-related crashes,” the MVA Fund said in a statement.
Out of the 53 crashes recorded during the Easter weekend, 17 were rollovers while 10 were pedestrian related, while five crashes were head-to-rear collisions.
Kapena Tjombonde, chief of corporate affairs at the MVA Fund, said unless there was a change in attitude and in the way road users conducted themselves on the roads the alarming statistics would continue to climb.
During the Easter break, 27 of the vehicles involved in crashes were pick-ups, 24 sedans and seven buses. The statistics also show that 17 crashes were a result of rollovers over the Easter period with speed being identified as the main attributing factor.
Ten pedestrian-related crashes were recorded. A total of 16 crashes occurred on Thursday while 13 and four were recorded on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
“The MVA Fund further appeals to road users to abide by road traffic regulations and play a positive role in ensuring a safe national road network,” read their statement.
By Magreth Nunuhe