Kharas police propose no bail for traffic offences
Police in the ||Kharas region of Namibia have proposed denying bail to traffic offenders involved in fatal accidents. Local officials also highlighted the failure of authorities to fully utilize allocated road maintenance funds, which could help improve safety.
Why it matters
Addressing road safety through stricter legal consequences and better infrastructure management is a significant public policy concern in Namibia.
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.
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