About 1,3 million people are killed every year on the road, while up to 50 million are injured worldwide in road traffic-related incidences.
These were some of the statistics shared at the launch of the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week currently underway in Windhoek.
Road traffic crashes are becoming the world's greatest hazard to the lives of those between the ages of five and 29.
The UN says if nothing is done, road traffic accidents will cause a further 13 million deaths and 500 million injuries in the next decade, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Namibia.
"As a continent, we have under-developed road infrastructure, poor vehicle conditions, lack of risk awareness, and ineffective law enforcement all of which exacerbate the risk on the roads. In 2022, Namibia recorded 466 deaths and 18 injuries per 100,000 population due to road traffic accidents."
Experts on road safety say traffic-related deaths and injuries can be avoided, provided that the entire transportation system is holistically addressed and actions are taken to ensure safer mobility across all modes.
Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa made an example of a road that is pedestrian friendly.
"There is one road that has just finished upgrading in the town of Rundu. I wish the engineer was here. It's not the only one, there are also others. There is Dr Sam Nujoma Road in Rundu which was very bad and then it was recently upgraded. There is provision for pedestrians to walk, in particular the small children, mind you, school children are always in a group, but if there is provision, they walk because they know."
Mutorwa says the UN Global Road Safety Week is an opportunity for the National Road Safety Council and its stakeholders to strengthen the required measures.
"The NRSC and all its road safety stakeholders must continue to be vigilant and not fall victim to complacency on account of season campaign achievements. The work will naturally be harder as we push towards zero fatalities."
The UN Global Road Safety Week aims to raise awareness about road safety issues and this year's theme is "Rethinkmobility."