The Chief Executive Officer of the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, has called for immediate action to stop the bloodshed on the country's roads.
She revealed that this year, Namibia's road deaths have increased by 12%, a trend which she described as worrying.
Martins-Hausiku was speaking at the 10th annual Road Safety Conference underway at Swakopmund.
According to the MVA, Namibia has recorded 13.8 deaths per thousand people this year, up from 11.3 in 2024.
Injuries have slightly declined, with the Erongo Region remaining second only to |Khomas in the number of road crashes recorded.
Martins-Hausiku described the figures as alarming and unacceptable, saying each number represents a real-life loss and a family left in pain.
She said the fund spends over N$325 million every year on crash-related claims, with N$200 million going towards medical expenses alone.
Furthermore, that money could instead be used to strengthen health service delivery and buy much-needed medical equipment if road users acted reasonably.
"We recognise that road safety is both a human rights issue and an economic concern, one that affects families, communities, and the nation's productivity. Each year, Namibia continues to lose hundreds of lives to road traffic crashes. Thousands more are injured, some permanently disabled. These are not mere statistics; they represent real people, Namibians whose dreams and aspirations are cut short."
She warned that speeding, drunk driving, fatigue, and pedestrian negligence remain the main causes of accidents.
Chairperson for the National Road Safety Council, Eliphas !Owos-Oab, urged the government to fast-track the Road Safety Management Bill to replace the outdated 1972 Act, saying it limits Namibia's ability to tackle rising road crashes and fatalities.
"To truly safeguard the lives of Namibians, we must urgently replace this antiquated legislation with a robust, forward-looking legal framework that enables the National Road Safety Council to fulfil its mandate in line with international best practices and the realities of the 21st century."