Erongo police collect N$1.8 million in festive season fines - nbc

Efforts by the Erongo police and their partners resulted in the collection of N$1.8 million in traffic fines during the 2024/25 festive season.

Every year, the Erongo Police, Road Authority inspectors, and local authority traffic officers set up roadblocks during the festive season to enhance road safety.

The police regional commander indicated that such collective efforts have yielded results, especially last year when admission-of-guilt fines amounted to N$1.7 million, while 27 drivers were arrested for drinking and driving.

Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona further revealed that there were about 700 court summonses, with close to N$600,000 in admission-of-guilt fines paid.

There were also 42 warrants of arrest executed, valued at N$44,000, the commissioner indicated.

However, despite the efforts, there were six road fatalities.

Another challenge cited by the commissioner is the high volume of trucks in Erongo due to import and export activities.

This leads to trucks travelling in long convoys, drivers failing to observe safe following distances, and frustrated motorists taking dangerous risks such as unsafe overtaking.

"Fatigue remains the leading cause of truck-related accidents in our region. In one tragic incident along the B2 road, both the driver and passenger lost their lives when the truck left the road and overturned. Many truck drivers are working under pressure; they are paid per load. Some companies employ inexperienced drivers, thereby increasing risks."

Officially launching the Swakopmund roadblock, the Erongo Governor, Natalia |Goagoses also highlighted a major challenge which she believes stems from intolerant and fatigued drivers.

"Drivers travel long distances without being checked for alcohol levels because every service station they stop at sells alcohol freely. We cannot play with lives, even if a driver is drunk, we must get him off the road. One of the projects we need to prioritise is creating a proper staging area between Swakopmund and Usakos, where truck drivers can stop and rest and where we can enforce compulsory rest through appropriate policies and laws."

While calling on all road users to obey traffic laws, the governor stressed that no one is above the law, including office bearers whom she believes often speed and overtake at blind spots.

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