MPs in the National Council stated that improving road infrastructure will not solve the road crisis issue if road users do not change their behaviour.
They were contributing to the report tabled by the Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Housing following their engagements with stakeholders across all 14 regions on the motion for urgent need for critical measures to combat the rising accident crisis in the country.
National Council MP Bethuel Tjaveondja stated, "We are still being rated as the best or the top country with the best role. But when it comes to our accident, because now you need to convey our population vis-à-vis the other population, we are still having a problem."
"Given the committee has not disclosed the hotspot, what would be the committee's proposed funding models for the proposed upgrading? Do I care? In order to ensure our accountability and safe outcome, how do they know the question is what could be the funding models? asked MP Andreas Amundjindi.
MICT Deputy Minister Wenzel Kavaka added, "Unless we change our mindset. Although we put on dual carriages, whatever, it will still be the same."
"The way these driving institutions and driving schools take you through all those rigorous, robust processes should be able to help us to care to make sure that eventually whoever obtains a licence has been exposed to all the conditions, and these conditions are at the standards that make sure that we help ourselves to drive responsibly and defensively and all these laws," MP Piniel Pakarae contributed.
MP Matheus Nanghama, in his contribution, said, "Namibia is the first in Africa when it comes to good law, but we still have some laws, but we still have some regions where people don't have access to roads, especially the access logic to the government institutions."
The Committee Chairperson, George !Garab stated that road user behaviours are one of the major contributing factors to road crashes and fatalities, further raising concerns regarding reckless driving, speeding and drinking and driving.
"The concerns repeatedly raised included speeding. We are speeding unnecessarily. Reckless and dangerous overtaking. You know you are nearing the hill, but you are taking a chance to overtake. You are taking a chance. And we know we cannot drive while we are under the influence of alcohol. But we are doing it."