Namibia Buses and Taxi Association (NABTA) loading master, Frieda Ngwena, has emphasised that public transport drivers should be extra patient and stick to traffic rules to avoid road accidents during the festive season. The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund earlier this year reported that the fund has spent N$158 million in paying for medical expenses of victims of road crashes in the 2018/19 financial year. Ngwena told NAMPA on Wednesday that long distance bus drivers are expected to drive with extra care, saying drivers should become true servants of their customers. “I personally go as far as praying before any bus departs,” she said. She added that NABTA received free tyres gauge instruments that determine the worthiness of the tyres in order to avoid road accidents resulting from non-roadworthy tyres. People travel to various places, such as from Windhoek to Oshakati, Ondangwa, Ohangwena, Rundu, Katima Mulilo and as far as to neighbouring Zimbabwe and South Africa among other destinations. Manager of Silas Ndapuka transport, Junias Nangolo on Monday assured road users that their safety is guaranteed, saying Ndapuka transport buses are allocated with two to three drivers for the festive period. “All our preparations are 100% ready to transport our customers to their respective destinations as they anticipate to celebrate together with their loved ones,” he said. The same sentiments were echoed by Tileinge Elia, who has been a driver for John Kwedhi transport for about 28 years. “Customers’ safety comes first especially during testing times such as the festive season where lives are lost due to speeding amongst other unlawful driving acts on our national roads,” he said. Also speaking to NAMPA, Melkisedek Namwandi, a long-distance driver who loads passengers at Okuryangava loading point told NAMPA on Monday he expects to transport customers with extra care, saying he will apply maximum discipline during the holiday period to avoid road accidents at all costs. Meanwhile, Khomas crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Abner Agas said the Namibian Police Force expects all road users to respect road rules at all times. “We do not want loss of life on our roads. Every life is precious,” he cautioned. -NAMPA