MVA Fund launches back-to-school, pedestrian safety campaign

The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund has kicked off a back-to-school road safety campaign through pupil patrols countrywide.

Fund spokesperson Janet Ikela says pedestrian safety remains a priority of the fund, especially after pedestrian-related crashes, injuries and fatalities recorded the highest numbers from January to mid-July this year.

“We are actively promoting school-based road safety measures as the winter school holiday has ended, and most schools have reopened. Scholar patrols and school activations are being conducted at various schools across the country,” she says.

Ikela says these activities aim to advocate reduced speed limits around school zones of 30km/h and the establishment of community road safety marshals at high-risk schools to prevent crashes and injuries involving pupils.

Additionally, the fund conducts regular interventions at schools along highways to educate pupils on pedestrian safety and the proper way to cross a road.

“The MVA Fund, in collaboration with other stakeholders, adopts a holistic approach to road safety that includes engineering, education, enforcement and engagement.

“The organisation believes all these facets should be addressed to enhance pedestrian safety, including the safety of children on the road,” Ikela says.

“To ensure children’s safety is a shared responsibility among parents or guardians, teachers and the community,” she says.

“Schools can contribute to road safety by designating appropriate areas for loading and unloading pupils, while parents can ensure that these areas are used.

“It is also important for parents and schools to help children develop road safety skills, promoting independence and responsibility as road users,” Ikela says.

“According to the fund’s statistics for the year to date, there were 443 crashes involving pedestrians, resulting in 71 fatalities and 415 injuries. However, it is worth noting that there has been a decline of 22% in pedestrian-related crashes, 20% in injuries, and 21% in fatalities compared to the same period in 2022.

“The Khomas region experienced a 17% decrease in pedestrian-related crashes, while the Erongo region saw a 16% increase,” she says.

Ikela says as an organisation committed to preserving life, the MVA Fund will continue implementing road safety interventions to make roads safer for everyone, as mandated by its governing act.

The fund urges the public to report crashes to its toll-free accident response number, 9682, as doing so could help save lives.