Windhoek: The City of Windhoek has spent approximately N$1.5 million over the past two years on repairing traffic and streetlights damaged in motor vehicle accidents, with officials expressing concern over the growing cost of damage to public infrastructure and the high number of hit and run cases.

According to Namibia Press Agency, City of Windhoek Corporate Communications and Public Relations Practitioner, Lydia Amutenya, stated that the municipality records an average of three traffic light incidents and one streetlight incident every month, translating into about 72 traffic light and 24 streetlight incidents over the last 24 months. Amutenya mentioned that repair costs vary based on the extent of the damage, with traffic light repairs ranging from N$3 000 to N$30 000 per incident and streetlight repairs costing between N$15 000 and N$20 000.

'Over the past two years, the City has incurred approximately N$1.5 million in traffic light repair costs resulting from accident-related damage,' said Amutenya. Most of the expenses remain unrecovered due to accidents going unreported or when the responsible parties cannot be identified. She noted that motorists found responsible for damaging municipal infrastructure are liable for the full cost of repairs or replacement.

Amutenya further explained that the replacement of an entire traffic light-controlled intersection can cost between N$400 000 and N$700 000, depending on its size and complexity. The City of Windhoek currently operates 165 traffic light-controlled intersections and spends about N$4 million annually on maintaining the network.

Meanwhile, City Police spokesperson, Superintendent Marcelline Murapo, stated that fewer than 45% of those responsible for damaging public infrastructure have been held accountable. 'A significant trend observed is the high incidence of hit-and-run crashes, with many drivers fleeing the scene after colliding into these fixed objects,' she said. Murapo added that most crashes occur between 20h00 and 06h00, particularly over weekends, and that City Police surveillance cameras have assisted investigators in identifying suspects at intersections equipped with CCTV systems. Most apprehended offenders were licensed drivers, although many were suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incidents.