MVA reports 366 road fatalities so far this year
423 road deaths in 2023
The MVA launched its Festive Season Road Safety Campaign this week and urged Namibians to play their part in preventing the loss of lives on the country's roads.
A total of 366 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents so far this year, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) said yesterday.
The number of fatalities was made public ahead of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign (FSRSC), aimed at reducing road deaths during the holiday period.
MVA CEO Rosalia Martins-Hausiku emphasised the urgent need for action, noting that last year the country recorded 423 fatalities.
"We’ve already lost 366 lives this year. Every death represents a person, a family, a community," she said. "In just one week alone, we lost 12 lives. What can we do differently? We should normalise discussing the seriousness of road safety in our households".
During a sponsorship pledge event held on Tuesday, the MVA secured nearly N$500 000 in cash donations and about N$1.1 million overall through unconfirmed sponsorships.
The funds will go toward raising awareness, enhancing law enforcement and improving emergency response efforts throughout the country.
Work together
The campaign, which will run until 17 January 2025, aims to reduce road fatalities and prevent accidents through public awareness initiatives and stronger law enforcement measures.
The MVA has set a budget of N$650 000 for the campaign but is calling on both public and private sector partners to help meet the target of N$2 million to cover the full scope of its road safety efforts.
Martins-Hausiku appealed for more support, not just in financial contributions but in resources and services that could assist in making Namibia’s roads safer. "We all have a role to play in achieving zero road accidents in Namibia. These are not just numbers; these are lives lost," she added.
The campaign will continue to focus on educating the public about safe driving practices while also supporting law enforcement agencies and first responders in their efforts to reduce traffic-related fatalities.
As the festive season approaches, MVA officials urge all road users to remain vigilant and adopt responsible driving behaviours to prevent further loss of life.
The number of fatalities was made public ahead of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign (FSRSC), aimed at reducing road deaths during the holiday period.
MVA CEO Rosalia Martins-Hausiku emphasised the urgent need for action, noting that last year the country recorded 423 fatalities.
"We’ve already lost 366 lives this year. Every death represents a person, a family, a community," she said. "In just one week alone, we lost 12 lives. What can we do differently? We should normalise discussing the seriousness of road safety in our households".
During a sponsorship pledge event held on Tuesday, the MVA secured nearly N$500 000 in cash donations and about N$1.1 million overall through unconfirmed sponsorships.
The funds will go toward raising awareness, enhancing law enforcement and improving emergency response efforts throughout the country.
Work together
The campaign, which will run until 17 January 2025, aims to reduce road fatalities and prevent accidents through public awareness initiatives and stronger law enforcement measures.
The MVA has set a budget of N$650 000 for the campaign but is calling on both public and private sector partners to help meet the target of N$2 million to cover the full scope of its road safety efforts.
Martins-Hausiku appealed for more support, not just in financial contributions but in resources and services that could assist in making Namibia’s roads safer. "We all have a role to play in achieving zero road accidents in Namibia. These are not just numbers; these are lives lost," she added.
The campaign will continue to focus on educating the public about safe driving practices while also supporting law enforcement agencies and first responders in their efforts to reduce traffic-related fatalities.
As the festive season approaches, MVA officials urge all road users to remain vigilant and adopt responsible driving behaviours to prevent further loss of life.
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