He began work on ‘The Road Maestro’ in 2018 and completed it this year, with an initial print run of 500 copies. Mwandingi says despite the challenges around completing the handbook, his determination and willpower kept him motivated throughout the process. The book consists of six chapters covering various topics, from getting a driver’s licence, to road safety issues and first aid.
Mwandingi says the prevalence of road fatalities compelled him to write about road safety. He further says most road accidents in Namibia are caused by various issues, such as a lack of skilled drivers, unfit vehicles, bad attitudes, unnecessary risk-taking, poor trip planning and driving under the influence, among others. The book is designed to address road safety issues to improve the situation on national roads, he says.
Mwandingi collaborated with transport regulatory authorities such as the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Roads Authority and Natis, as well as various road users. He says people need to understand that rules and regulations are there to safeguard, not punish. “The book answers the what, how and why questions and thus clearly fosters a justification of why rules and regulations are made and thus brings the bigger picture behind rules and regulations governing roads to the foreground to change the perspective of our people.
” Mwandingi says the inclusion of first aid content aims to empower people to assist at accident scenes. The book targets government fleet man.