Several stakeholders have joined forces to launch a drunk-driving assessment and law enforcement campaign starting in July.

The aim is to root out drunk driving, which has been identified as one of the main contributors to road crashes on Namibian roads.

To contain the alarming rate of road crashes, partners such as Namibia Breweries, the Namibian Road Safety Forum and Nampol launched the campaign.

The programme will obtain actual statistics on the number of people caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Managing Director of Namibia Breweries, Waldemar von Lieres, noted that the company supported road safety campaigns for over two decades.

“We do not say people shouldn't drink, right? We say people should drink responsibly and moderately. When it comes to your example, we need to create awareness so that people understand the impact of alcohol on their bodies, on their reactions and, like, when it comes to driving. And to plan to have fun with your friends, but have a driver or take a taxi.”

The programme will be run at nine traffic checkpoints between July and January 2027.

The aim is to conduct 300 tests daily at each roadblock relating to road safety and regulations.

NamPol Head of Traffic Law Enforcement Commissioner Petrus Swartz explained.

“This programme will provide evidence that has not previously existed at this scale. From a law enforcement perspective, the programme seeks to achieve several important outcomes. Number one, it will strengthen deterrence. The visible presence of traffic officers and police members at checkpoints sends a clear message that drink-driving cases and offences will be detected and acted upon. Secondly, it will improve compliance with road safety legislation.’

The Chief Executive Officer of the Namibian Road Safety Forum, Horst Heimstadt, said the campaign will yield reliable data, change policy and allow every sector to act on evidence rather than assumptions.

“We are calling it the DUI Assessment and Enforcement Programme, which means it's an open-ended programme. This is a first phase of the programme, and we're hoping that Namibia Police will help us afterwards as well. I suppose it depends on us, Commissioner, how we're performing on this one so that we can go on with it.”

Drivers are advised not to drive after consuming alcohol.