Stricter checks on cars in the pipeline

DISCUSSIONS are underway to amend the Road Traffic and Transport Act, as there are too many players administering the various sections of the act.

The Ministry of Works, Ministry of Justice, Nampol, Natis and the City Police are all players charged with the execution of the various section of the act.For instance, taxi licences are issued by the Ministry of Works, roadworthy inspections are done by Natis, fines are issued by traffic officers of the City Police and Nampol and paid to the Ministry of Justice, which transfers the funds to the Ministry of Works. This means that the Municipality of Windhoek, which finances the City Police to the tune of N$50 million and keeps up the city’s streets, does not see a cent of the money generated from traffic fines.During January’s wildcat taxi strikes a number of problems relating to these processes were pointed out by the striking taxi drivers.Roadworthy inspections on vehicles to be used as taxis are carried out once by Natis after a fitness certificate is issued. These cars are not subjected to any periodic roadworthiness tests again.It is only when they are stopped at roadblocks that their fitness certificates can be withdrawn if the cars are not fit to be on the road.City Police Chief Abraham Kanime says moves are underway to subject vehicles used for public transport to tests once a year.Kanime also hinted at the introduction of specific driving courses or competency tests for taxi drivers because of their role as public transporters.The City Police Chief said policy makers are also looking at introducing a ‘points demerit system’ where all drivers would be allocated points for traffic violations. In terms of the system, once a driver has accumulated a certain number of points his or her driving licence is suspended.This arrangement is being looked at to clamp down on habitual traffic offenders.Kanime said the amendments to the Road Traffic and Transport Act would be preceded by a process of open consultation with all stakeholders.Namibia Bus and Taxi Association president Magnus Nangombe welcomed the intended changes, but said that consultation should take place before they are written into law.