Windhoek: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) on Thursday unveiled a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Assessment and Enforcement Programme designed to tackle drunk driving and enhance road safety.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the programme was launched in collaboration with Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), the Namibia Road Safety Forum, and several road safety stakeholders. Scheduled to run from July 2026 to January 2027, the initiative will incorporate intensified traffic checkpoints and enforcement measures to gather data and develop an accurate understanding of alcohol-related driving behaviors.
During the launch event in Windhoek, Commissioner Petrus Swartz, Head of NamPol's Traffic Law Enforcement Division, noted that the initiative aims to strengthen enforcement while producing evidence to inform future strategies. Swartz highlighted that road crashes remain a significant public safety issue, often exacerbated by reckless and impaired driving.
Swartz stated, "Officers will conduct random compliance checks and more than 300 breathalyser tests per operation," indicating that the visible presence of officers at checkpoints is expected to deter potential offenders and enhance compliance with traffic regulations.
Horst Heimst¤dt, CEO of the Namibia Road Safety Forum, reported that approximately 1,287 crashes, 2,189 injuries, and 220 fatalities have already been recorded this year, with alcohol contributing to over 30 percent of the crashes. Heimst¤dt emphasized that the programme aims to provide Namibia with a consistent measure of how alcohol influences driver behavior, stressing the importance of reliable data for evidence-based policymaking.
Waldemar von Lieres, managing director of NBL, expressed the company's support for responsible alcohol consumption and commitment to the initiative as part of its ongoing road safety efforts. He underscored the necessity of collaboration among government, law enforcement, industry, and the public to combat drunk driving effectively.
The programme is also expected to help identify patterns and high-risk areas, aiding in targeted interventions and public awareness campaigns. Swartz concluded with a reminder to the public, "If you drink, do not drive. If you drive, do not drink."