By Marx Itamalo |
THE Ohangwena police have expressed concern with the rising cases of motorists driving on public roads without driving licences.
The police has issued a stern warning to those involved in this practice to stop the practice as it contributes to road accidents.
This message comes from Ohangwena police spokesperson warrant officer Andreas Nghiyolwa.
He spoke to Omutumwa on Tuesday.
“We have a rising number of cases in the region of people, especially the young people who are found driving vehicles without driving licences. Most of these people lack experience and do not know or understand road signs and markings and are the major causes of accidents,” Nghiyolwa said.
According to him, the regional police research indicates that most of the drivers driving without licences are mostly the youth.
Nghiyolwa said most accidents recorded where the driver does not have a licence happens on rural roads.
“The region has a lot of gravel and earth roads especially in rural areas and here is where you find people driving without papers and most of them are the young people.
“These people cause accidents and should stop doing it because it is illegal,” he stated, while further emphasising that at times elderly people and pensioners are also culprits.
Nghiyolwa said the police in Ohangwena have intensified their efforts to curb the practice by setting up sporadic roadblocks at strategic places in order to flush out illegal drivers.
“Our traffic officers are invariably on the roads to check if motorists are adhering to road rules and regulations including ensuring that people are driving with valid licences.”
The policeman also warned vehicle owners not to give their vehicles to people without valid driving licences as they are also complicit in doing so.
“The problem also lies with vehicle owners. They give their cars to people whom they know for sure do not own licences. This thing is very dangerous because it causing accidents and destruction of property.
“They should stop it because we are also now punishing whoever will be found to have given their cars to drivers who don’t have licences,”he warned while adding that the police will issue tickets to anybody who will be found driving without a licence and will arrest and charge those who will cause accidents while operating a vehicle without a valid driving licence..
In the photo: Ohangwena regional police spokesperson Inspector Andreas Nghiyolwa.
