Traffic law offenders who cause fatal accidents should not be granted bail, the police have suggested.
The proposal was made by ||Kharas deputy commissioner Nicodemus Mbango during a public hearing on road safety last week.
Mbango said that in addition to having bail denied, fines for serious traffic fines should also increase from N$4 000 to N$8 000.
“The justice system needs to be strengthened. These people who are drinking and driving know that they will be travelling but choose to consume alcohol which is the greatest contributor to road accidents where lives are lost,” says Mbango.
Road accidents claimed over 21 lives over the 1-4 May long-weekend alone this year.
Meanwhile, ||Kharas regional governor Dawid Gertze criticised local authorities in the region for failing to utilise allocated funds intended for road upgrades to reduce accidents.
Gertze says that out of N$29.66 million earmarked for road maintenance in the region, local authorities spent about N$12.36 million, resulting in an overall expenditure rate of below 50%.
“We are leading people. We are serving the interests of our people. Those of us who are accountable for executing projects are not doing that. It’s worrisome because safer roads also contribute to fewer road accidents,” Gertze said during the engagement.
