Motorists travelling between Usakos and Swakopmund could soon be monitored around the clock through a live surveillance system aimed at improving road safety and emergency response.

The National Road Safety Council, Erongo Regional Council, and Arandis Town Council have established the Emergency Response and Arandis Management Center at a cost of N$60 million.

The facility is equipped to respond to road incidents and accidents along the highway and is connected to emergency and law enforcement agencies on a 24-hour basis.

Cameras have already been installed, with each pole fitted with two-way cameras capable of identifying vehicle registration numbers and owners.

The cameras and electronic road signs are linked to the control center at the Arandis turn-off, which is expected to strengthen traffic monitoring and emergency response along one of Namibia's busiest corridors.

Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi explained.

"There will also be permanent officers stationed at Arandis Road, as well as at the entrance to Swakopmund, where you turn off towards Walvis Bay. We will also have standby traffic vehicles on the road. If you drive recklessly, the control center will immediately communicate with the nearest traffic officers in the direction you are travelling. Let’s assume you are travelling to Usakos, and, after passing Arandis, you drive recklessly. The control center will immediately alert the traffic officers at the Usakos entrance, who will be on standby to intercept you."

He also clarified the use of CCTV cameras.

“The cameras are mounted, so if you overtake where you are not supposed to, there will be traffic officers on duty 24 hours a day. As you exit Usakos towards Arandis, under the leadership of the Commissioner, they will be stationed there permanently.

There will also be permanent officers stationed along Arandis Road, as well as at the entrance to Swakopmund, on the turn off to Walvis Bay. 

"If you drive recklessly, the control center will immediately communicate with the nearest traffic officers in the direction you are travelling. Let’s assume you are travelling to Usakos, and, after passing Arandis, you drive recklessly. The control centre will immediately inform the traffic officers at the Usakos entrance, who will be on standby to receive you.”

Nekundi is hopeful that the system will contribute to reducing road crashes and fatalities as Namibia seeks to improve its road safety record.

“With sadness, this stretch of road has witnessed many accidents over the years due to heavy traffic, especially during the holiday seasons, although most accidents are caused by reckless driving. The average daily traffic between Karibib and Usakos is approximately 2,975 vehicles, of which 2,040 are light vehicles and 935 are heavy vehicles. This is one of the busiest roads in our country, and too many lives have been lost in vehicle accidents. Thus, the safety of our road users was at the heart of this upgrade," added Nekundi.

The next phase will focus on the Usakos-Arandis road and Khan River Bridge.