Four people were killed when an Iveco bus and a truck collided on Tuesday night, while 23 others sustained slight to moderate injuries.
Motor Vehicle Fund (MVA) chief executive officer Rosalia Martins-Hausiku confirmed the accident, saying it happened about five kilometres outside Okahandja towards Otjiwarongo at 23h23.
“It is believed that the bus experienced a mechanical failure. Details about the cause of the crash are, however, not clear as investigations continue,” Martins-Hausiku said.
The crash brought the total number of accidents for the year to 916, out of which 188 lives were lost while 1 663 people sustained varying degrees of injury.
MVA also said since January until 15 April this year, 1 179 vehicles have been involved in accidents out of which 167 were public transport.
According to the Fund, March had the highest number of vehicles involved in crashes with 382, followed by February with 314, then January with 290, and so far this month 183 vehicles crashed.
“This month alone we have already lost 21 lives and it is of great concern to the fund, especially with the Easter weekend starting today. It is these times of traffic congestion that road users sometimes make choices, which may negatively impact on the lives of others. The fund therefore appeals to road users to make the right choices this weekend in order to save lives,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Namibia Traffic Management Solutions managing director Felix Tjozongoro said reckless drivers should be charged with murder instead of homicide.
“We have made pleas to Cabinet to amend the Criminal Procedure Act to bring to book these road killers and charge them with murder instead of homicide,” Tjongarero said.
Martins-Hausiku said the regions they have identified as accidents hot spots are Otjozondjupa, Erongo, Khomas, and Oshana with a high pedestrian accident rate.
“It is believed that the bus experienced a mechanical failure. Details about the cause of the crash are, however, not clear as investigations continue,” Martins-Hausiku said.
The crash brought the total number of accidents for the year to 916, out of which 188 lives were lost while 1 663 people sustained varying degrees of injury.
MVA also said since January until 15 April this year, 1 179 vehicles have been involved in accidents out of which 167 were public transport.
According to the Fund, March had the highest number of vehicles involved in crashes with 382, followed by February with 314, then January with 290, and so far this month 183 vehicles crashed.
“This month alone we have already lost 21 lives and it is of great concern to the fund, especially with the Easter weekend starting today. It is these times of traffic congestion that road users sometimes make choices, which may negatively impact on the lives of others. The fund therefore appeals to road users to make the right choices this weekend in order to save lives,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Namibia Traffic Management Solutions managing director Felix Tjozongoro said reckless drivers should be charged with murder instead of homicide.
“We have made pleas to Cabinet to amend the Criminal Procedure Act to bring to book these road killers and charge them with murder instead of homicide,” Tjongarero said.
Martins-Hausiku said the regions they have identified as accidents hot spots are Otjozondjupa, Erongo, Khomas, and Oshana with a high pedestrian accident rate.
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