Walvis Bay taxis urged to give right of way to emergency vehicles

By: Taati Niilenge

Walvis Bay chief of fire services, Effraim Kathindi, has urged taxi operators to refrain from racing with fire trucks that are responding to emergency calls.

Kathindi noted that following emergency vehicles at high speed or parking too close to incident scenes, blocks access routes and delays critical response operations.

“While we understand that curiosity and the desire to witness incidents may attract people to such scenes, this practice poses serious safety risks. Firefighters and other emergency responders require clear and immediate access to a scene to save lives and protect property,” he said.

Kathindi told NewsOnOne on that culprits will be monitored and brought to book.

“In the event that a person is found to not giving right of way to emergency vehicles, it is punishable already by our current laws. Every citizen must give right of way to any

emergency vehicle, and not race them. Some of our vehicles already have cameras. With that evidence you can be brought to book,” he said.

Kathindi also shared that the town’s municipality will soon install CCTV cameras at certain traffic intersections in the town, adding that the project, funded by Road Fund Administration (RFA), will commence as soon as a bid is awarded.

It aims to monitor traffic behavior and curb reckless driving, which Kathindi said has become a growing concern on Walvis Bay roads.

He said cameras have also already been installed at identified crime hotspot areas within the town to assist law enforcement in preventing and investigating criminal activities.

Kathindi said the changes form part of ongoing efforts by the municipality to improve safety and security in the town.