Windhoek: The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) has intensified its road safety prevention drive by engaging students and staff at the University of Namibia's Khomasdal Campus. The engagement placed more emphasis on early behavioural influence at the centre of its national strategy, MVA's chief of corporate affairs, John Haufiku said in a statement on Friday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the engagement on Tuesday forms part of the fund's Workplace Road Safety Programme, which targets young and emerging drivers aged 16 to 40. The identified age group accounts for the majority of crash victims nationwide. 'According to recent data, 66 per cent of road crash injuries occur within this economically productive age bracket, underscoring the urgent need to intervene before risky driving behaviours become entrenched,' he said.
The activation of the campaign comes amid renewed concern over pedestrian safety. Haufiku noted that pedestrian-related crashes increased by 4 per cent between January 2025 and January 2026, while fatalities surged by 23 per cent, rising from 163 to 200 deaths. He said the Khomas Region continues to record the highest number of pedestrian-related crashes and injuries, followed by the Erongo Region.
Recent statistics by the MVA indicate that from 01 January to 15 February 2026, Namibia recorded 336 crashes, 599 injuries and 56 fatalities. Although this reflects an 18 per cent decline in fatalities compared to the same period in 2025, the MVA cautioned that the figures remain significantly higher than 2024 levels. 'It is within this context that the MVA Fund has sharpened its focus on young and emerging drivers, particularly students transitioning into independent mobility. Research consistently shows that early exposure to road safety education significantly influences long-term driving behaviour, decision-making and compliance with traffic laws,' Haufiku explained.
During the campus engagement, students received practical guidance on responsible road use, pedestrian awareness and self-policing. Participants were reminded to utilise the MVA's toll-free accident response number, 9682, and were given step-by-step guidance on what to do when first on the scene of a crash, Haufiku said.