City Police Traffic Tips
Fabian Amukwelele Every parent wants to protect their child from harm. While parents often focus on providing food, education, and healthcare, many overloo
2026-08-202026-08-20By Correspondent
Fabian Amukwelele
Every parent wants to protect their child from harm. While parents often focus on providing food, education, and healthcare, many overlook a simple safety measure that can save lives: ensuring that children wear seat belts and/or use appropriate child restraints when travelling in vehicles. In Windhoek, it is still common to see children sitting on adults’ laps, standing inside moving vehicles, and/or travelling without any restraint. Although some parents may believe this is harmless, the reality is that such practices place children at significant risk should a crash occur.
In terms of the published Government Notice No. 53 of 2001 Regulations under the Road Traffic and Transport Act, 1999 (Act No. 22 of 1999), Regulation 232(6) requires drivers to ensure that children are properly restrained while travelling on public roads, and Regulation 232(8)(a) requires drivers to ensure that a child uses an appropriate child restraint, where one is available or wears a seatbelt, where one is fitted, and that a child occupies a rear seat, where no seatbelt is available in the motor vehicle. A contravention of either Regulations is an offence and is liable to a fine of N$500.
Despite these requirements, some parents do not consistently enforce seat belt use. Common reasons include the belief that short trips are safer, children’s complaints about discomfort, financial challenges in purchasing child restraint chairs, and a lack of awareness of the risks involved. However, accidents can occur unexpectedly, regardless of how short the journey may be.
There are several advantages to ensuring that children are properly restrained. The most significant benefit is that children are protected against serious injury or death in the event of a collision. Seat belts help keep passengers securely in place and reduce the risk of being thrown against the interior of the vehicle or ejected from it in the event of a collision. Since children’s bodies are still developing, they are particularly more vulnerable during crashes and require additional protection.
Another important advantage is that seat belt use encourages lifelong safety habits. Children learn by observing adults, especially their parents practicing these safety habits. When parents consistently wear seat belts and insist that their children do the same, they promote a culture of responsibility and respect for road safety laws. These habits can remain with children well into adulthood. Compliance with seat belt regulations also helps drivers avoid fines and supports national efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities. Furthermore, properly restrained children are less likely to move around the vehicle and distract the driver, which contributes to safer driving conditions.
Some parents argue that there are disadvantages to enforcing seat belt use. The cost of child restraint systems can be a challenge for low-income families, and these devices may not always be readily available in certain areas. In addition, some children resist being restrained, particularly during long journeys. While these concerns are understandable, they should never outweigh the safety benefits. The inconvenience and cost associated with child restraints are minor when compared to the emotional and financial consequences of a serious injury or fatality. From the Windhoek City Police Service (WCPS) perspective, child passenger safety remains a critical concern. The continued presence of unrestrained children in vehicles highlights the need for increased awareness, stronger enforcement, and greater parental responsibility. Parents play a vital role in ensuring their children’s safety and must recognize that fastening a seat belt takes only a few seconds but may ultimately save a life. Enforcing seat belt use among children is both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility, and every effort to save a life will support the WCPS in its quest to make Windhoek the safest city in Africa where road safety is concerned.
For traffic emergencies and crime-related matters, contact the Windhoek City Police Service on 061 302 302 or 061 290 3339. SMS: 4444.
*Sergeant Fabian Amukwelele represents the Public Relations and Community Policing Section of the Windhoek City Police Service.
