When in doubt, slow down!

Digging in to prevent the festive season carnage on Namibian roads, the MVA Fund this week announced it is approaching this festive season’s Road Safety Campaign in partnership with their stakeholder in terms of road safety promotion, law enforcement, emergency response and the necessary logistical support.
The MVA Fund’s 2014-2015 Festive Season Road Safety campaign was launched this week.
Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, the fund’s Chief Executive Officer, said the main focus of the campaign is on speed reduction under the theme “Your destination, a reward for safe driving, Pledge to arrive alive.” “This theme is to save as many lives as possible by reducing the impact on our roads, perhaps to even have zero road crash related deaths this festive season,” she emphasized.
Martins-Hausiku added that the campaign will target amongst others, young road users between the ages of 16 and 35, who according to previous years’ statistics are vulnerable to road crashes and constitute 58% of the recorded casualties. “One thing we must remember is that road crashes know no boundaries, they affect everyone, irrespective of colour, creed, race or economic status. This means that we are all at risk, and therefore each one of us should stand up and actively play our role to ensure that our roads are a safer place to drive,” she stated. She said the MVA Fund can never do without the generous support of both public and private entities and that their contributions are a reflection of their commitment to road safety and saving lives.

Ambrosius Tierspoor, Head of Communication at the Road Safety Council said they are very appreciative of the support given by the public and private sector organisations for road safety. “The official start is slated for this Friday, 7 November, with a march from Miami Service Station in Independence Avenue up to the Katutura Youth Sports Complex where the main proceeding will be conducted” he said.
He said they will also have a road safety promotion in Swakopmund next Friday, 14 November as part of the festive season and they will visit Otjiwarongo for the commemoration of the Africa Road Safety Day on 16 November.
Donations from organisations include Namibia Breweries who donated N$100,000 and 200 Vigos, Nedbank who donated N$30,000, MTC who donated N$40,000 and N$20,000 in airtime and Old Mutual who donated N$100,000. There are many smaller sponsors.
This year the campaign will focus on supporting law enforcement agencies to increase their visibility on the road, stabilize the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities, create public awareness of the risks associated with reckless driving and encourage the public to make a commitment to making the roads safer at all occasions and under all circumstances.