Citizens urged to install dashcams to police reckless drivers

Namibian Police chief of traffic law enforcement Commissioner Petrus Swartz has called on motorists to install dashcams and record incidents of reckless driving.

Swartz was responding to a surge of viral videos showing dangerous driving on public roads.

Swartz said police are increasingly relying on citizens to document and report reckless drivers.

“We are continuing to encourage members of the public that they should install these cameras in their vehicles,” Swartz said. “Then they can share those clips with us, and we can take it from there. We will definitely handle it."

He said the strategy is intended to shift driver behaviour by creating a sense of constant accountability on the roads.

“If my brother is driving in front of me, my brother should not be sure whether I am capturing how he is driving or not,” he said. “Then all of us will start to behave.”

Swartz said this awareness could act as a deterrent to reckless behaviour. “If I am doing something that I am not allowed to do, definitely I will know that somewhere somebody is watching me,” he said.

Report immediately

He stressed that timing is critical in ensuring that footage can be acted upon, saying video evidence is most useful when submitted within 24 to 48 hours of an incident, and urged motorists not to submit old footage.

"Share with us immediately, if possible.”

Swartz warned that outdated or recycled clips circulating on social media are becoming a major challenge for enforcement efforts, as they make it harder for police to verify incidents and trace offenders.

While reckless driving videos continue to circulate widely online, Swartz acknowledged that police have not yet confirmed any prosecutions directly linked to such footage, although internal processes are being developed to address this gap.

Solutions sought

Earlier this year, government proposed mandatory dashcam installation for all private and public transport vehicles to reduce accidents. The proposal was spearheaded by transport minister Veikko Nekundi.

The Roads Authority has also issued a statement on increasing footage of reckless behaviour on Namibian roads.

“The Roads Authority is deeply concerned about the increasing number of incidents of reckless driving being recorded and circulated on social media platforms,” said Hileni Fillemon, manager for corporate communications said.