Drunk drivers terrorise Namibian roads

Namibia's epidemic of drunk driving remains a deadly problem despite repeated calls from lawmakers and others for Namibians to change their risky behaviour.

“It's still a huge problem and ultimately it's all about attitude,” Percy Openshaw from Crisis Emergency Services told Namibian Sun this week.

Aubrey Oosthuizen from the West Coast Safety Initiative agrees.

“It's attitude, attitude, attitude,” he said, adding that the problem not only extends to drivers, but to friends and family who protect the guilty ones at all costs.

“We have got used to this behaviour and unless the message does not come from all of the relevant authorities, from senior political levels and from the courts, it will only get worse.”

Eddie Bezuidenhout from E-med Rescue24 said there is no doubt that alcohol contributes to many accidents on Namibia's roads. He urged the authorities to strengthen measures to help change attitudes and ensure that Namibians drive sober.

Bezuidenhout added that often innocent bystanders are severely injured or killed in accidents caused by drunk drivers.

“It's a huge problem,” he said, noting that a person's decision to drive drunk often leads to a crushing blow for those using the roads responsibly.

And while the steps taken by authorities in various regions to combat unruly and drunk driving are praised by the emergency workers, they say more can and should be done, including stronger prevention, enforcement and punishment.

“It doesn't help law enforcement catches someone and locks them up and then they are only fined a certain amount. That is not an incentive to change behaviour,” Bezuidenhout said. He said suspending licences would be a step in the right direction, as well as ensuring that alcohol level testing is done effectively and efficiently.

“We have picked up that testing alcohol blood levels is a process that doesn't always work. We need to put stronger and better systems in place.”

One solution would be to have doctors on stand-by during peak traffic times, such as holidays and long-weekends, to ensure blood tests are carried out effectively and efficiently.

Openshaw added that fines need to reflect the danger of drunk driving, and authorities should be able to confiscate licences and cars in certain incidents.

“The police and traffic authorities really are trying and doing their best to catch the culprits. But they can't be everywhere 24/7. And when a drunk driver is caught and appears in court, the fines do not reflect the possible damage their behaviour could have caused.”

Moreover, unmarked police vehicles should be deployed to patrol certain areas, Bezuidenhout said.

“It's unbelievable how many people sit in their cars and drink and how many first drive through roadblocks and then start drinking.”

All agree that culprits often sprint away from the scene, but added that authorities are increasingly able to catch them quickly. Nevertheless, an alcohol blood test is then no longer possible. Another key factor is the fact that many Namibians still tolerate drunk driving by their friends and relatives.

“Many people drive drunk for years and years, and because nothing happens, nothing changes,” Openshaw explained.

He also called on parents and guardians to not turn a blind eye to their children who stay out late drinking and who are more likely driving drunk or sharing a car with someone who is under the influence.

“Many people know their kids are out drinking, but they do and say nothing.”

Bezuidenhout pointed out that a key behavioural change is for Namibians to rely more on taxis or designated drivers when they know they will be drinking.

In line with this, E-med is testing a phone application that will allow anyone to simply press one button that will alert E-med, who will send a taxi to their location.

JANA-MARI SMITH