There is a hair-raising increase in motor-vehicle accidents in Namibia, and we should ALL pay attention. 

Hi, my name is Chazz, and perhaps just like you, the mere thought of a road accident traumatises me. I lost my mother to a motor car accident, thanks to a kudu that, in a split second, decided to prance around on the road. 

Yes, we all know that animals can cause road accidents (along with other factors that are simply out of our control) but today, my chat is about negligent Namibian drivers who arrogantly always think the road belongs to them. 

You could be doing absolutely nothing incorrectly, and yet someone else could dictate what the rest of your life would look like. Where some people get into their cars, they become entirely oblivious to the world around them! 

Despite national road safety campaigns, reckless behaviour behind the wheel remains a persistent threat, claiming hundreds of lives, and leaving countless people injured. 

You know what? Let’s look at the MVA Fund Namibia’s crash statistics from 01 January to 20 October – 2 456 crashes, 4 496 injuries and 324 deaths. We haven’t even reached the festive season yet. 

I’d like you to think of all the harrowing stories you have read about or heard from a friend/family member about their experiences with idiotic drivers who overtake at blind spots or curves, who run through red lights, speed or even decide to start scrolling on social media as they drive (because they are blessed with the ability to multitask mos). 

It’s so infuriating, to say the least. It’s also not fair to be a passenger in the vehicle of a driver who commits any of the above atrocities, CALL THEM OUT! Whether you are in a taxi, shuttle, seven-seater or any vehicle not driven by you. 

You need to realise that unfortunately your life is  literally in their hands, as they recklessly steer the vehicle. 

With negligence proving to be the silent killer on Namibian roads, this message is clear:
every driver has a role to play in making our roads a safer place to drive. Until personal accountability becomes the norm, we will continue to suffer from preventable tragedies. Let’s tame the traffic jungle together.

-charlenetheguardian@gmail.com