'Our data is correct and factual'

The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund and the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) have dismissed allegations that they are at loggerheads over road crash data.

This follows an analysis of road crash statistics released by Burmeister and Partners indicating that between 2012 and 2016, the NRSC recorded 98 422 crashes while the MVA Fund recorded only 20 318 such incidents.

Namibian Sun reported in its Tuesday edition about the discrepancies in crash data pointed out by the consultancy firm.

The Fund yesterday called a press conference to clarify the apparent discrepancies in data.

According to CEO of the MVA Fund, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, Burmeister and Partners was also invited to state their case, however the company was a no-show at the meeting.

Martins-Hausiku yesterday said that the “report” by the consultancy firm was not supposed to be made public yet as it had not been signed off by Burmeister's client.

“I called the client of Burmeister and they are not even aware that the document was made public.”

The data was released on 7 February during a public meeting at Ondangwa organised by the Roads Authority and presented a road safety audit of the Trans-Kunene and Windhoek-Luanda corridors. The presentation was organised by the Roads Authority.

Hileni Fillemon, spokesperson of the Roads Authority, yesterday morning told Namibian Sun that it was a public meeting and the media were not invited.

“This was a public platform and normally we do not include the media. They were supposed to ask if there was any media in the room and if so, you were supposed to be excused. This is to ensure that correct information is given out to the public.”

Adriaan van der Merwe from Burmeister and Partners, who released the stats in Ondangwa, yesterday told Namibian Sun that it was only a presentation that was made during the public meeting regarding the project of the Roads Authority. Asked if he was aware about the press conference that was called with regards to the road crash data, Van der Merwe said that he had heard about it, but that he had not even seen the newspaper.

According to him, the public meeting was organised to specifically gain input from the public for the final report and he said that very positive feedback was received.

The final report was not released yet.

Martins-Hausiku also said that during previous consultations with Burmeister, the Fund had clarified why there are discrepancies in crash data between NRSC and the Fund.

Asked about this Van der Merwe said he could not comment and would have to get approval from Roads Authority, their client, to speak to the media further.

According Martins-Hausiku, road crash data is released at common platforms after verification and agreement by all stakeholders including the NRCS, the Fund, the Namibian police and the City of Windhoek, where applicable.

“It is indisputable that the various role players will have disparities in road crash statistics given the different mandate requiring the focus areas on different factors relating to crashes.”

She said it is well-known in the industry that the MVA Fund records crash statistics relating to deaths and injuries only.

According to her, this is specifically because these crashes qualify for further claims handling by the MVA Fund.

“A disclaimer is always made as part of our published reports.”

Martins-Hausiku said when a crash occurs, the data collection commences as emergency response units are dispatched through the Fund's 24-hour call centre.

She explained upon admission at hospitals after being injured in a crash, case management is activated where the injured are followed up for treatment and rehabilitation, and some cases may end up as fatalities. This inevitably changes the initial figure of deaths recorded.

According to Martins-Hausiku, the NRSC however collects their statistics from the police who record all types of crashes including accidents resulting in property damage, which does not necessarily cause any injuries or deaths.

“As the MVA Fund we have no interest in this. It would be of no interest to the MVA Fund to report all bumper-to bumper accidents. To expect the Fund to collect data on every crash will be a waste of resources.”

According to her the police define a death occurring within 24-hours of the crash. NRSC follows this definition while the MVA Fund's definition follows the World Health Organisation international reporting standards. These standards defines fatalities of those who die within 30 days of the crash.

Martins-Hausiku said that data made public by the MVA Fund at any stage is correct and factual in accordance to what has been collected through its emergency call centre.

Meanwhile the head of communications at the NRSC, who is also a director at the MVA Fund, Ambrosius Tierspoor, also said that two institutions have a good working relationship.

Martins-Hausiku said that although the MVA Fund and the NRCS do step on each other toes from time to time they have a good working relationship. “Everything is not always rosy but we come and work together when we have to.”

Tierspoor said Burmeister and Partners will be engaged further for discussions on the matter.

Burmeister & Partners indicated that between 2012 and 2016, the NRSC recorded 98 422 road crashes, while the MVA Fund recorded only 20 318 such incidents during the same period.

The MVA Fund, however, recorded 3 388 deaths and 34 451 injuries during the same period, while the NRSC recorded a total of 1 460 deaths and 12 747 injuries.

ELLANIE SMIT