Highway cameras still illegal

The yellow traffic enforcement cameras on national highways which have been erected along main highways in the country are still not legal but the legislation is expected to be signed and gazetted soon.The police's head of traffic, Deputy Commissioner Amalia Gawanas, confirmed to Namibian Sun that the cameras have not yet been activated but this is expected to take place during the first week of December. Gawanas said once gazetted, the cameras will be activated at 12 points across the country. When the cameras were erected there was public outcry, mostly on social media platforms, questioning their legality. At the time the police had said that transgressors of speed by these cameras will be prosecuted. Gawanas said it is expected that the cameras will be activated within the first week in December - if everything goes according to plan. She said that if caught driving too fast by the camera, the fines will work exactly the same as any other speeding fine, depending on what speed you have travelled. “The camera will capture the footage and the driver will receive the fine in the mail.” In the Erongo Region, two cameras are up, one about 47km to Karibib from Okahandja and another 30 to 40km before Swakopmund. Cameras in the south are located just after the weighbridge outside of Windhoek on both sides of the road and also 45km to Windhoek from Rehoboth. In the north, cameras were erected 110km to Otjiwarongo from Okahandja and 61km to Otjiwarongo from Okahandja. Another camera was put up about 70km to Otavi from Otjiwarongo and also 50km to Otjiwarongo from Otavi, while others are also located about 45km from Otavi and 40km to Otavi from Tsumeb. Moreover, there are cameras about 28km to Oshivelo from Tsumeb, 36km to Omuthiya from Oshivelo and 42km to Ondangwa from Omuthiya. Gawanas further warned road users to be extremely careful during the upcoming holiday season and said the public will be informed when these cameras are activated. She said people must take ownership and responsibility when they are on the roads. “With more than 648 fatalities already this year in a population of 2.1 million this is very worrisome. At the end of the year where will the death toll stand?“People must take ownership. Nobody wants to die on the roads. We must stand together and obey the rules of the road as if it is your own life that depends on it.” Meanwhile, the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund has undertaken various activities in commemoration of Africa Road Safety Day that took place yesterday. These activities include road safety interventions such as roadblock refresher and first responder training, #StandSober campaign and a National Prayer Walk.Statistics from the Fund from January to October this year indicate that there have been 585 fatalities compared to 547 during the same period last year, 5 498 injuries compared to 5 624 last year and 3 083 crashes in comparison with 3 273 last year. ELLANIE SMIT

Highway cameras still illegal

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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Highway cameras still illegal

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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