Namibia should require first aid training for drivers
A Namibian driver advocates mandatory first aid training for all motorists after witnessing a fatal vehicle rollover near Kamanjab, where bystanders lacked basic emergency response skills. The proposal requires certification before license issuance or renewal, following models from Germany, Switzerland and Austria where such programs already exist.
Namibia experiences among the world’s highest per capita traffic fatality rates, with emergency services often requiring hours to reach remote accident locations. Trained drivers could perform life-saving interventions like bleeding control, CPR and spinal stabilization before ambulances arrive.
The initiative would integrate first aid instruction into licensing examinations, mandate refresher courses every five years and prioritize commercial transport operators. Implementation would require coordination between the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, and the National Road Safety Council.
