Chronicle (Zimbabwe)

Police urge motorists to observe traffic regulation­s during Easter

- Tendayi Kasamba/Lynee Kumirayi Chronicle Reporters

THE Government has urged motorists to observe traffic rules and regulation­s during this Easter holiday to curb accidents.

The Easter holiday starts tomorrow and ends on Monday and many people will be travelling to different destinatio­ns to spend the holiday while Christians travel to different church convention­s venues.

In a statement, the Minister of Transport and Infrastruc­tural Developmen­t, Dr Joram Gumbo said operators of public service vehicles should provide services authorised in terms of their route authority and to adhere to time tables.

He said operators should value human life and desist from deploying defective and unroadwort­hy vehicles.

“To ensure that sanity prevails, all defective vehicles will be removed from the roads. I thus urge operators of public service vehicles to provide safe and timeous service which should see everybody being transporte­d to their destinatio­n safely.

“It is the obligation of the operator to ensure that their buses are not overloaded, drivers are not under the influence of alcohol and to encourage their drivers to stick to the regulated speed limits as these are the major causes of fatal accidents,” said Dr Gumbo.

He said The Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Vehicle Inspectora­te Department will be manning all the major highways to check on defective vehicles as well as remind motorists to drive safely.

Dr Gumbo said his ministry will deal decisively with any operators whose drivers behave in a manner that disregards the sanctity of human life.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo Police deputy spokespers­on, Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube has urged motorists to observe traffic rules and regulation­s.

Speaking at a campaign ahead of the launch of the police’s Bulawayo patrol unit and traffic decongesti­on teams in the city today, Asst Insp Ncube urged members of the public to use registered public transport vehicles.

He said a number of residents have been raped or robbed by drivers of unregister­ed vehicles like Honda Fits.

Motorists, Asst Insp Ncube said, should secure their vehicles and ensure they do not leave valuables that will attract thieves.

“As we approach Easter and Independen­ce holidays, we would like to appeal to all motorists to value human lives on the roads and drive safely. Drivers should observe road rules and regulation­s and ensure that their motor vehicles are roadworthy,” he said.

Meanwhile, a portion of Jason Moyo Street between 5th and 6th Avenue will be closed to traffic between 9 AM and 12PM today.

The police will be launching the Bulawayo patrol unit and traffic decongesti­on teams on the spot. — @ tenkasamba/@Lyneesboe

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