Namibia
In December 2004, under a funding agreement with Sida, GRSP undertook an in-country appraisal of road safety related activities in the Republic of Namibia. Following the appraisal, the report concluded that there were a number of activities that could be conducted in support of the NRSC, particularly capacity building. The appraisal also identified interest within the private sector to explore ways to partner with the NRSC to improve road safety in the country.
GRSP Namibia was launched on 4 December 2006 and the organisation has already achieved official recognition from the relevant authorities. GRSP Namibia is a multisector partnership funded solely through local membership subscriptions, local project activities, and a small core fund from the GRSP Secretariat. The organisation works in close cooperation with the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and is already heading one of six road safety task groups, Task Group Four, dealing with educational campaigns.
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Related project summaries
Projects |
Projects
Road Systems Management
Seat belt survey
A seat belt compliancy survey was undertaken by GRSP Namibia in January 2007 with funding from the NRSC. The survey was conducted in various regions throughout the country at mid-day on weekdays. The data collected indicates that seat belt wearing rates vary considerably across the country, from 14% to in rural areas to 73% in the capital of Windhoek.
A report drafted by GRSP Namibia suggests that effective seat belt campaigns must penetrate into the remote regions. Further recommendations include the need to: identify appropriate levels of police enforcement of traffic laws in the regions, identify quality of vehicle passenger restraint systems, develop an understanding of the issues affecting people’s choice to wear a seat belt, develop a costed seat belt campaign strategy and identify appropriate media for dissemination.
Project summary: Seat belt pilot study, Namibia
Speed survey
GRSP Namibia conducted a speed survey in December 2006 to evaluate the impact of current enforcement levels on traffic speed in and around the capital, Windhoek. Seven speed surveys were conducted using a calibrated Muni Quip K-GP Radar speed gun at four urban and three rural sites. Locations were chosen where vehicles were in free flow conditions (off peak times after 10:00 and before 16:30).
The surveys found that the majority of drivers in both urban and rural settings exceeded posted speed limits, posing a potential risk to the many pedestrians using the roads. A report was presented to the NRSC and made a series of recommendations, including: gather comprehensive data on urban speeds, attempt a correlation between excessive speed and crash data, include enforcement in road safety programmes, develop long-term sustainable campaigns with enforcement, link safety campaigns to behavioural change, develop performance indicators for police support, consider a review of speed limits.
Project summary: Speed survey, Namibia
Capacity building - Enforcement
In December 2006, GRSP Namibia hosted a visit by two high ranking German police officers who assessed traffic law enforcement methods used by the Namibian Police (Nampol) with the goal of supporting the professional development of the Nampol in enforcement and road safety related activities.
Safer Roads Users
Road safety education for employees
On 30 March 2007, GRSP Namibia initiated an educational programme for employees of its partner companies. After completion of a road safety course, participants are issued certificates of attendance and requested to sign a code of conduct.
The certificate and signed code of conduct entitle the individual to a discount on the monthly short term insurance premium for his/her car. Individuals who break the traffic law forfeit the discount and the incident is reflected in the employee’s annual performance appraisal. This programme is assisting participating companies integrate good corporate governance and occupational health and safety into their human resource programmes.