Near-collision with presidential convoy raises safety concerns on B2
A near-collision involving a presidential convoy on the B2 road between Swakopmund and Arandis last Sunday has sparked public concern over police escort procedures. The convoy was returning to Windhoek following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s rally at the coast.
According to a motorist’s account posted on social media, the incident occurred when a traffic police vehicle “swerving zig-zagging to get the oncoming trucks off the road” triggered a chain reaction between two trucks, including a fuel tanker.
“We luckily got missed but went off the road and were nearly hit by the truck that rear-ended into the other truck,” the motorist wrote. “Nobody even stopped. The government convoy all just drove past at high speed and not a single vehicle stopped or turned back.”
Erongo regional police commander, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, emphasised that VIP escorts follow strict safety procedures.
“The sweeper is always ahead of the main motorcade. Its purpose is to alert any approaching drivers,” he said. “There is usually more than one vehicle before the main convoy, giving motorists ample time to slow down or pull off safely.”
Kupembona explained that motorists are legally required to give way to convoys transporting the president, vice-president, or prime minister. “You have to go off the road, but only if it’s safe to do so. If not, slow down or stop with your hazards on. The most important thing is safety,” he said.
He cautioned that some accidents occur when drivers fail to maintain proper following distances or react too abruptly. “Defensive driving is important. Maintain a safe distance so that if anything happens, you can stop safely without hitting the vehicle in front of you,” Kupembona added.
The police commander also clarified that vehicles within the convoy are not required to stop at an accident scene. “They have other duties to fulfil. But if an accident occurs, other officers in the jurisdiction will respond like any other case,” he said.
The B2 incident recalls a similar event in 2009 between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, when a sweeper vehicle clearing the road for a presidential motorcade crashed into a civilian car. Both vehicles smashed through a barrier and fell two metres to the beach near Vierkantklip. The three occupants sustained minor injuries.
According to a motorist’s account posted on social media, the incident occurred when a traffic police vehicle “swerving zig-zagging to get the oncoming trucks off the road” triggered a chain reaction between two trucks, including a fuel tanker.
“We luckily got missed but went off the road and were nearly hit by the truck that rear-ended into the other truck,” the motorist wrote. “Nobody even stopped. The government convoy all just drove past at high speed and not a single vehicle stopped or turned back.”
Erongo regional police commander, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, emphasised that VIP escorts follow strict safety procedures.
“The sweeper is always ahead of the main motorcade. Its purpose is to alert any approaching drivers,” he said. “There is usually more than one vehicle before the main convoy, giving motorists ample time to slow down or pull off safely.”
Kupembona explained that motorists are legally required to give way to convoys transporting the president, vice-president, or prime minister. “You have to go off the road, but only if it’s safe to do so. If not, slow down or stop with your hazards on. The most important thing is safety,” he said.
He cautioned that some accidents occur when drivers fail to maintain proper following distances or react too abruptly. “Defensive driving is important. Maintain a safe distance so that if anything happens, you can stop safely without hitting the vehicle in front of you,” Kupembona added.
The police commander also clarified that vehicles within the convoy are not required to stop at an accident scene. “They have other duties to fulfil. But if an accident occurs, other officers in the jurisdiction will respond like any other case,” he said.
The B2 incident recalls a similar event in 2009 between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, when a sweeper vehicle clearing the road for a presidential motorcade crashed into a civilian car. Both vehicles smashed through a barrier and fell two metres to the beach near Vierkantklip. The three occupants sustained minor injuries.
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