By Feni Hiveluah
Namibia has recorded a nationwide decline in pedestrian-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in 2026 compared to the same period last year, although some regions continue to show alarming increases in deaths.
Data provided to Confidente by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and the Namibian Police indicate that pedestrian accidents dropped by 11,56 percent nationally.
Pedestrian injuries also decreased by 15,91 percent, falling from 396 cases in 2025 to 333 this year. Fatalities dropped from 72 to 68, representing a 5,56 percent decline.
Despite the national improvement, several regions recorded sharp increases in pedestrian deaths.
The biggest surge was recorded in Kavango West, where fatalities rose from one death last year to five this year, marking a 400 percent increase. Kavango East also saw a significant jump, increasing from four to nine deaths, a rise of 125 percent.
In Erongo, fatalities increased from three to five, while Hardap and Omaheke both recorded increases from two to three deaths each.
According to acting inspector general Major General Anne-Marie Nainda, male pedestrians continue to account for the highest proportion of fatalities and injuries.
Nainda said 48 men lost their lives in pedestrian crashes while 208 sustained injuries during the reporting period. She further noted that pedestrian crashes occur more frequently during late afternoon and night-time hours, particularly between 16h00 and 21h59. Fatalities during the early morning period between 04h00 and 06h59 also increased significantly compared to last year.
Fridays recorded the highest number of pedestrian crashes nationally, a trend authorities attribute to increased weekend activity, alcohol consumption and risky behaviour on the roads.
“These statistics clearly demonstrate that while progress is being made through intensified law enforcement and awareness campaigns, pedestrian safety remains one of the most critical road safety challenges facing Namibia,” Nainda said.
Speaking to Confidente this week, Nainda said Nampol continues to observe high numbers of pedestrians being struck and killed along national highways, at urban entry points, near informal settlements and in poorly lit rural areas.
According to her, the main contributing factors include speeding, reckless and distracted driving, drunk driving, pedestrians crossing roads carelessly, walking at night without reflective clothing and general disregard for traffic laws by both drivers and pedestrians.
“Another major concern is that many of the victims fall within economically active age groups, particularly between 30 and 39 years, which means road crashes are not only a safety problem but also an economic and social burden on families and the country,” she said.
The comments come as the United Nations this week hosts its eighth Global Road Safety Week under the theme “Making walking and cycling safe” and campaign slogan #StreetsForLife, running from 8 to 16 May 2026.
In line with the campaign, Nainda said the Namibian Police will continue strengthening collaboration with stakeholders such as the National Road Safety Council, local authorities, schools, transport operators and communities to improve pedestrian safety and visibility.
“The protection of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists remains a key operational priority for the Namibian Police Force,” she said.
Current police priorities include intensified speed law enforcement operations, drunk-driving crackdowns, high-visibility patrols, pedestrian awareness campaigns and increased police visibility in identified pedestrian crash hotspots and high-risk corridors.
Nainda said operational trends have led authorities to prioritise resources in regions including Khomas, Oshana, Kavango East and Omusati, where pedestrian crash patterns remain concerning.
“NamPol is also increasing traffic law enforcement activities during high-risk periods where there is a high volume of vehicular movement, such as Fridays, weekends and night-time hours when pedestrian crashes are most prevalent,” she said.
Nainda urged all road users to take personal responsibility and comply with traffic laws.
She called on motorists not to drink and drive, to rest when tired and to reduce speed near schools, residential areas, bus stops and settlements located along highways.
She also encouraged Namibians to become “road safety heroes”.
“A road safety hero is an ordinary person who is always compliant with all traffic laws and who understands that responsible behaviour on the road saves lives,” she said.
“On the other hand, a non-compliant person is the one who has created a harsh, accident-prone reality on Namibia’s national roads.”
According to the United Nations, road traffic injuries remain one of the leading causes of death and disability globally.
The organisation says more than 125 000 people die every year from road crashes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region alone, with more than a third of victims being pedestrians and cyclists.
The UN says the Global Road Safety Week campaign aims to encourage governments and communities to implement evidence- based measures that make walking and cycling safer for all road users.
