Roads claim 147 lives since January

The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund has recorded 970 crashes between 1 January and 10 May, resulting in 147 fatalities and 1 789 injuries.Statistics indicate that the Khomas Region recorded the highest number of crashes, accounting for 342 (34%), followed by Erongo with 134 (14%) and Oshana with 93 (10%).In Windhoek alone, year-to-date statistics indicate that there were 334 crashes, 489 injuries and 12 fatalities recorded.Additionally, Khomas had the highest number of injuries at 499 (28%), followed by Erongo with 258 (14%) and Otjozondjupa with 186 (10%). Regarding fatalities, Oshana recorded the highest number at 21 (14%), followed by Otjozondjupa at 17 (12%) and Erongo and Kavango East with 16 each (11%).Contributing factors Between 2019 and 2022, the MVA commissioned research into the causes of road accidents and found that 72% of them are attributed to human-contributing factors, such as speeding, reckless driving and driving under the influence. Meanwhile, 25% are related to road and environmental causes, and only 3% are attributed to vehicle-related factors."This indicates that human behaviour is the primary factor contributing to road accidents in Namibia, inconsiderate driving, overtaking at blind spots, fatigue and more," CEO Rosalia Martins-Haufiku said. "Moreover, it suggests that by enhancing road user behaviour, the number of road accidents in the country could be significantly reduced."Traumatic experience Michael Mabuku, the survivor of a near-fatal car accident, recounted the harrowing experience of almost losing his life in September 2023 while returning from a night out with his friend and his friend&#039;s wife."We were driving from a basketball game. My friend was behind the wheel, with his wife in the passenger seat and me sitting directly behind the driver. As we approached the B1 traffic lights, which were green for us, all I heard was &#039;watch out!&#039; from my friend&#039;s wife. Suddenly, a car crashed into us from the passenger side. Everything went black for what seemed like an eternity. When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying face up on the road, gazing at the sky, wondering how I got there," he said."It hadn&#039;t sunk in yet that we had just been involved in an accident, one that had thrown me out of the car&#039;s rear window."Mabuku recounted sustaining fractured ribs, a fractured knee patella and lacerations to his back and head during the accident. Despite their injuries, they all survived, but Mabuku said the outcome could have been much worse. "I thank God every day for sparing our lives."

Roads claim 147 lives since January

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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Roads claim 147 lives since January

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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