The harder you try, the deeper you get stuck

As most of the locations in Namibia are very remote, being safe when driving a 4x4 is essential.

According to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, the most causes of accidents are pedestrians who do not take responsibility for their own safety as well as drivers who lose control of their vehicles due to speed, drunk driving and poor road conditions.

According to Mark Stoffberg, Hertz Tour Operator Executive, these accidents are on the rise. “The number of fatalities as well as injuries has increased substantially over the last few years” Stoffberg says.

While you don’t always have control over these elements, there are a few things you can do to be more road savvy. The following general safety measures should be taken while driving across Namibia, as compiled by Hertz:

• Familiarise yourself with all the technical features of your vehicle.
• When hiring a 4x4, insist that the rental company staff explains all the aspects of the vehicle before driving off.
• Seatbelts should be worn at all times (both front & rear).
• Do not underestimate the midday heat and long distances between towns and carry enough water and snacks with you. Also note the filling stations are few and far in between - ensure that you always have sufficient fuel in the tank.
• Ensure that you rent a vehicle with a suitably high ground clearance (e.g. SUV or 4x4 or Kombi) if you intend to travel to remote areas such as Sossusvlei; Twyfelfontein, Keetmanshoop ; and Skeleton Coast.
• After the summer rainfalls in Namibia the gravel roads tend to be in a poor condition, as all the topsoil has been washed away and a lot of loose rocks are strewn all over.
• Drastically reduce your speed on bumpy gravel roads, so as to avoid stones damaging the under carriage of your vehicle.

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