Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Windhoek City Police say 20 people have died in road accidents around the capital since January 2025, with reckless driving named as the main cause.
According to statistics released this week, the number of deaths has increased from 11 during the same period last year.
The police reported a total of 131 head-on collisions since the start of the year, and 335 drivers were fined for violating traffic laws.
The police expressed concern over a growing trend of drivers deliberately ignoring red lights across the city.
“The City Police has seen a gradual increase in the number of head-to-side type collisions, many of which are directly linked to the reckless running of red traffic signals,” they said.
They added, “Statistics reveal that from January 2025 to date, 131 head-on collisions have been reported, while 335 drivers were fined for disregarding red traffic signals. In the effort to maintain order and curb this life-threatening behaviour, it is observed that driver attitude remains a key contributing factor.”
The police stressed that the habit of ignoring red lights has become normal among many motorists, which is a major cause of fatal accidents.
“To compound matters even worse, the City Police have seen 20 deaths on the roads so far this year, which, when compared to this time last year, is 11 more deaths. Regrettably, the act of ignoring red traffic signals, which is one among other contributing factors to this carnage on our roads, has become normalised by many motorists – a trend which is discouraged,” they said.
They reminded drivers that a red traffic signal indicates a stop, and they only grant the right of way when the green light appears.
Police also noted that many drivers try to beat the amber (orange) light, often at high speed, which poses a serious danger to other road users.
“The provision of the law in terms of Section 75 of the road traffic and transport act, 1999 (Act No. 22 of 1999) talks about failure to comply with the direction of a road traffic sign, and violation of this provision in terms of red traffic signals leads to a fine of N$2,500,” the City Police stated.
