Festive road crashes claim 84 lives
While the police chief said most car accidents during the festive season were as a result of reckless and negligent driving, speeding and drunken driving, he admitted that some may have been caused by the condition of the roads.
STAFF REPORTER
WINDHOEK
Official statistics indicate that 84 people died on Namibian roads during the just-ended festive season, compared to 99 the previous period.
Releasing the 2020/2021 festive crime statistics for the period of 20 November 2020 to 15 January 2021, police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga said 471 road accidents were recorded - compared to 550 during the corresponding period last festive season.
The Khomas Region topped the list of motor vehicle accidents with 102, followed by Oshana with 63. Meanwhile, Otjozondupa recorded the highest number of road accident-related fatalities.
The police chief said most car accidents during the festive season were as a result of reckless and negligent driving, speeding and drunken driving.
“Another reason could be the condition of the roads, especially wet roads as well as potholes due to heavy raining,” he said.
“On behalf of the Namibian police force and all stakeholders, we would like to express sympathy and condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the festive season due to road accidents and other violent crimes,” Ndeitunga said.
Some serious crimes decrease
He said 1 332 cases were recorded during the festive period, 178 more than in the previous period.
The possession of unpolished diamonds, fraud, armed robbery, rape and drug dealing are some of the serious crimes that recorded an increase, Ndeitunga said.
Meanwhile, cases such as culpable homicide, murder, assault, stock theft, attempted murder all recorded a decrease.
“It is worth noting that the decrease in these criminal activities could have been attributed to the restriction of people’s movement due to [the] Covid-19 [curfew], the intensified operation Hokanam, operation Basadi and other operations carried out by law enforcement agencies during the period under review,” the police chief said.
Dangerous driving
During the festive season, a total of 7 084 summons were issued for drivers who drove under the influence of alcohol and recorded a total of N$7.8 million for the number of admissions of guilt.
Of these summons, a total of 1 711 were for unfit drivers, 1 063 for speeding, 533 for a lack of licences or registrations, 516 for not wearing a seatbelt and 51 for inconsiderate driving.
The police also managed to recover stolen items or drugs worth just over N$3.9 million during the 2020/21 festive season.
According to Ndeitunga, a total of 571 people was arrested for contravening Covid-19 regulations, 207 for violating the regulations for public gatherings, 109 for moving around after the curfew and 234 for the sale of alcohol.
WINDHOEK
Official statistics indicate that 84 people died on Namibian roads during the just-ended festive season, compared to 99 the previous period.
Releasing the 2020/2021 festive crime statistics for the period of 20 November 2020 to 15 January 2021, police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga said 471 road accidents were recorded - compared to 550 during the corresponding period last festive season.
The Khomas Region topped the list of motor vehicle accidents with 102, followed by Oshana with 63. Meanwhile, Otjozondupa recorded the highest number of road accident-related fatalities.
The police chief said most car accidents during the festive season were as a result of reckless and negligent driving, speeding and drunken driving.
“Another reason could be the condition of the roads, especially wet roads as well as potholes due to heavy raining,” he said.
“On behalf of the Namibian police force and all stakeholders, we would like to express sympathy and condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the festive season due to road accidents and other violent crimes,” Ndeitunga said.
Some serious crimes decrease
He said 1 332 cases were recorded during the festive period, 178 more than in the previous period.
The possession of unpolished diamonds, fraud, armed robbery, rape and drug dealing are some of the serious crimes that recorded an increase, Ndeitunga said.
Meanwhile, cases such as culpable homicide, murder, assault, stock theft, attempted murder all recorded a decrease.
“It is worth noting that the decrease in these criminal activities could have been attributed to the restriction of people’s movement due to [the] Covid-19 [curfew], the intensified operation Hokanam, operation Basadi and other operations carried out by law enforcement agencies during the period under review,” the police chief said.
Dangerous driving
During the festive season, a total of 7 084 summons were issued for drivers who drove under the influence of alcohol and recorded a total of N$7.8 million for the number of admissions of guilt.
Of these summons, a total of 1 711 were for unfit drivers, 1 063 for speeding, 533 for a lack of licences or registrations, 516 for not wearing a seatbelt and 51 for inconsiderate driving.
The police also managed to recover stolen items or drugs worth just over N$3.9 million during the 2020/21 festive season.
According to Ndeitunga, a total of 571 people was arrested for contravening Covid-19 regulations, 207 for violating the regulations for public gatherings, 109 for moving around after the curfew and 234 for the sale of alcohol.
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