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Media has the ability to increase awareness and educate masses about road safety

Media has the ability to increase awareness and educate masses about road safety

“Reaching out to road users, especially pedestrians is becoming increasingly challenging and I appeal to the media to help us enhance the focus on pedestrian safety,” – This was the plea made by the MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Rosalia Martins-Hausiku at a highly engaging Media Day that was held last week under the theme “Pedestrian Safety – Safe Journey to School”.

Mrs. Martins-Hausiku stated that the Fund will continue to rigorously advocate for pedestrian safety especially that of children, as they are vulnerable and encounter greater exposure to injury and death as a result of motor vehicle crashes.

Reiterating the fact that drivers, pedestrians and parents all play an equally important role, she urged the media to enhance the dissemination of information to the public.

Additionally, by changing the way the media communicate and report on road safety issues, journalists can greatly influence the way people think and behave with the view to save lives on our roads.

The CEO further highlighted that over N$300 million was paid in 2016 toward all the benefits offered by the Fund of which N%214,1 million was paid for hospital and medical expenses.

The engagement which was well-attended by various media houses included a briefing on the Khomas Region Pedestrian Safety Audit, pedestrian crash data, cost to the Fund as well as interventions at Kosmos High School and Dawid Bezuidenhoudt High School with the assistance of the Windhoek City Police.

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