It’s crunch time at the coast

WEEKEND traffic to the coast peaked at around 15h00 on Friday with some 220 vehicles an hour counted just outside Swakopmund.

On Saturday, the traffic flow slowed down, with approximately 180 vehicles entering Swakopmund in the busiest hour. About 51 per cent of vehicles heading into Swakopmund are from the various regions of Namibia, some 35 per cent from South Africa and about 12 per cent from the coastal towns.Despite the heavy traffic, it is encouraging that most travellers seem to be abiding by traffic rules and applying safety tips, said a spokesman of International SOS.Almost all drivers and passengers are buckled up and most vehicles have their headlights switched on when passing ISOS’s checkpoints.According to ISOS’s spokesperson, only one accident was reported for the weekend.No one was injured.Many quad-bike riders at Langstrand are “an accident waiting to happen”, according to ISOS.Children are riding carelessly and adults showing off with small children sitting on their laps.Most of the reckless riders do not wear helmets, the spokesman said.The rescue and ambulance service says a lot of quad-bike riders show a total disregard for safety, the environment and their neighbours.As in the past, the spokesman said, there are also the daredevils in bakkies that challenge steep dunes with people standing at the back.ISOS will discuss reckless behaviour with the authorities today.Meanwhile, the Walvis Bay Municipality has announced the appointment of four law enforcement officers in the Langstrand area, who will be responsible for enforcing all municipal by-laws.They will concentrate on unlicensed vehicles and drivers, illegal driving of vehicles, littering, violation of road traffic signs, excessive noise levels and illegal overnight camping.About 51 per cent of vehicles heading into Swakopmund are from the various regions of Namibia, some 35 per cent from South Africa and about 12 per cent from the coastal towns.Despite the heavy traffic, it is encouraging that most travellers seem to be abiding by traffic rules and applying safety tips, said a spokesman of International SOS.Almost all drivers and passengers are buckled up and most vehicles have their headlights switched on when passing ISOS’s checkpoints.According to ISOS’s spokesperson, only one accident was reported for the weekend.No one was injured.Many quad-bike riders at Langstrand are “an accident waiting to happen”, according to ISOS.Children are riding carelessly and adults showing off with small children sitting on their laps.Most of the reckless riders do not wear helmets, the spokesman said.The rescue and ambulance service says a lot of quad-bike riders show a total disregard for safety, the environment and their neighbours.As in the past, the spokesman said, there are also the daredevils in bakkies that challenge steep dunes with people standing at the back.ISOS will discuss reckless behaviour with the authorities today.Meanwhile, the Walvis Bay Municipality has announced the appointment of four law enforcement officers in the Langstrand area, who will be responsible for enforcing all municipal by-laws.They will concentrate on unlicensed vehicles and drivers, illegal driving of vehicles, littering, violation of road traffic signs, excessive noise levels and illegal overnight camping.