Cops on high alert for festive season
Namibian police inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga says an increased police presence on the country's roads would help to reduce road accidents.
He was speaking at the launch of the festive season road-safety campaign.
“I believe that an increased police presence will help to combat drunken and speeding drivers, for example,” said Ndeitunga, who at the same time urged all road users to behave considerately and abide by the rules.
“We have to hold the driver responsible because it is negligent or reckless and speedy driving that leads to the loss of human lives,” he said.
National Road Safety Council chairman Eliphas !Owos-Ôab said the council recognised the need for collaboration with other road-safety stakeholders.
“The council has successfully collaborated with the Namibian police, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and the Private Sector Road Safety Forum in harnessing the needed stakeholder team efforts in tackling the carnage on our roads.
“This partnership brought relief last year, when motor vehicle accident deaths reduced from 774 to 571,” he said.
“Yet, in contrast, we have seen a decade of an ever-increasing trend in motor vehicle accident statistics. We can only win if we have maximum participation of all role players, the practitioners in the subsector, road-safety subject experts, the private sector, public institutions and the community at large,” he added. Deputy transport minister James Sankwasa asked for closer collaboration between all stakeholders in the transport sector.
“There are a number of role players that in one way or the other are expected to contribute to the improvement of road safety in Namibia, and I urgently call upon them to join the National Road Safety Council and give them that support full-heartedly,” Sankwasa said.
Like Ndeitunga, he felt that a more visible police presence would help in reducing the number of accidents on national roads.
“In terms of law enforcement and emergency response teams, visibility is absolutely crucial and key for drastic reduction of road crash accidents and fatalities. Road users have a tendency to misbehave when there is no visibility of traffic officers on the main roads and in town centres,” Sankwasa said.
OGONE TLHAGE
He was speaking at the launch of the festive season road-safety campaign.
“I believe that an increased police presence will help to combat drunken and speeding drivers, for example,” said Ndeitunga, who at the same time urged all road users to behave considerately and abide by the rules.
“We have to hold the driver responsible because it is negligent or reckless and speedy driving that leads to the loss of human lives,” he said.
National Road Safety Council chairman Eliphas !Owos-Ôab said the council recognised the need for collaboration with other road-safety stakeholders.
“The council has successfully collaborated with the Namibian police, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and the Private Sector Road Safety Forum in harnessing the needed stakeholder team efforts in tackling the carnage on our roads.
“This partnership brought relief last year, when motor vehicle accident deaths reduced from 774 to 571,” he said.
“Yet, in contrast, we have seen a decade of an ever-increasing trend in motor vehicle accident statistics. We can only win if we have maximum participation of all role players, the practitioners in the subsector, road-safety subject experts, the private sector, public institutions and the community at large,” he added. Deputy transport minister James Sankwasa asked for closer collaboration between all stakeholders in the transport sector.
“There are a number of role players that in one way or the other are expected to contribute to the improvement of road safety in Namibia, and I urgently call upon them to join the National Road Safety Council and give them that support full-heartedly,” Sankwasa said.
Like Ndeitunga, he felt that a more visible police presence would help in reducing the number of accidents on national roads.
“In terms of law enforcement and emergency response teams, visibility is absolutely crucial and key for drastic reduction of road crash accidents and fatalities. Road users have a tendency to misbehave when there is no visibility of traffic officers on the main roads and in town centres,” Sankwasa said.
OGONE TLHAGE
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