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Khomas tops road accident statistics

2015-07-22  Staff Report 2

Khomas tops road accident statistics
Ongwediva Khomas Region has the dubious distinction of being the country’s number one crash zone. It recorded the highest number of road accidents in June with 139 out of the total number of 321 road crashes reported countrywide. The Khomas figure represents 43 per cent of crashes recorded during June. Other regions topping as crash hotspot zones include Erongo, Otjozondjupa and Oshana. Khomas also recorded the highest number of injuries during the same period, with 248 injuries compared to 603 recorded countrywide. In addition, Motor Vehicle Fund (MVA) data show pedestrian-related accidents are rife in Khomas, with 40 such cases recorded in the region. Two people died as a result. In addition, 20 vehicles were involved in rollovers. “This particular phenomenon has placed the region among the pedestrian-risk zones in the country,” reads a media release of the MVA. According to the statement, 46 people lost their lives on Namibian roads in the period – seven deaths were recorded in Khomas, eight in Oshana, six in Erongo and five in Hardap. The MVA says 54 per cent of the crashes were recorded during weekends with 59 per cent of road crashes recorded between 14h00 and 23h59. MVA indicates Khomas records an average of 133 crashes per month, with at least 180 injuries and nine fatalities. Erongo follows in second place with an average of 39 crashes, 68 injuries and six fatalities monthly, while Oshana recorded 33 crashes, 61 injuries and five fatalities. Otjozondjupa recorded 30 crashes, 63 injuries and eight fatalities per month on average, according to the MVA. Since January 374 lives were lost in 2 202 crashes on Namibian roads leaving 3 838 people with various degrees of injury. In addition, road crashes have since increased by 19, injuries by 543 and 12 fatalities during the same period in 2014. MVA together with Nampol, City Police, Roads Authority, Namibia Public Passenger Transport Association (NPPTA), Namibia Bus and Taxi Asssociation (NABTA) and the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) have embarked on a campaign from mid-May to mid-June 2015 to ensure roadworthiness of public transport passenger vehicles, driver’s fitness and to inculcate general fitness. The intervention observed, among others, that minibus drivers do not maintain a safe distance behind another vehicle, and that in general motorists do not dim their lights, speed and wrongfully overtake. The findings of the intervention will assist in formulating effective short and long term road safety programmes of action and public education activities to curtail death and injury in the region.
2015-07-22  Staff Report 2

Tags: Khomas
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