Staff Writer
Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), in partnership with the Namibian Road Safety Forum and the Namibian Police’s Traffic Law Enforcement Department (TLED), has launched a N$200 000 drink-driving assessment and enforcement programme aimed at improving road safety across the country.
The initiative, which will run from July 2026 to January 2027, will see nine traffic checkpoints established on roads across Namibia.
During the operations, officers will inspect driver and vehicle compliance, including licences, seatbelt use and tyre conditions, while also conducting breathalyser tests on motorists.
The programme aims to conduct more than 300 breathalyser tests at each checkpoint to determine the prevalence of alcohol-impaired driving and generate data on the impact of alcohol on road safety.
According to NBL, the information collected will help stakeholders better understand the extent of drink-driving and support evidence-based road safety interventions.
A public report on the findings will be published every three months.
The initiative has also invited participation from key road safety stakeholders, including the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Roads Authority, Road Fund Administration, Ministry of Works and Transport, and the National Road Safety Council.
NBL managing director Waldemar von Lieres said the programme supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.5, which seeks to reduce alcohol-related harm, and aligns with the company’s Brewing a Better Namibia 2030 sustainability strategy.
“This programme puts resources behind that pledge, and behind the data. We are sharing resources because the evidence that emerges will help stakeholders working to make our roads safer,” von Lieres said.
Namibian Road Safety Forum chief executive officer, Horst Heimstädt said the partnership combines law enforcement with data collection to support long-term policy development.
“For the first time we will have a consistent, measured view of how alcohol is affecting driver behaviour on our roads, and that is what allows everyone in this sector to act on evidence rather than assumption,” he said, while commending NBL for supporting the initiative.
International estimates indicate that alcohol is linked to between 17% and 33% of road traffic deaths, depending on the country and methods used to collect data.
NBL said it has sponsored the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign for nearly two decades as part of its Brewing a Better Namibia 2030 strategy, which identifies road safety as one of its sustainability priorities.
The company reiterated its responsible drinking message, urging motorists not to consume alcohol before driving.
