TSCZ to deploy first aiders on country’s black spots

VOLUNTEER first aiders to be deployed to the country’s blackspots during the Easter holidays have been trained through the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ).

At least five people die on the country’s roads daily and annually the figure is a distressing 2 000.

Speaking during the handover of certificates to at least 50 first aid responders at Chaseyama Primary School in Chimanimani District recently, TSCZ board chairman Mr Kurauone Sibanda said the volunteers underwent a fiveday course in basic industrial first aid.

“The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has embarked on countrywide training of volunteer first aiders near all identified blackspots in the country.

“Listen to these shocking statistics. An average of five people die on Zimbabwean roads daily. Plus or minus 2 000 people die on our roads annually. These figures are extremely disturbing and call for unity of purpose in fighting for their reversal.

“To put today’s event in perspective, allow me to share with you the statistics from ZRP Mutare Rural and Cashel Valley who police the Mutare–Chimanimani Highway up to here.

Last year alone, a total of 120 road crashes were recorded. Out of these, 68 were fatal ones. A total of 104 people were injured on the same stretch of the road. This is just part of the story. These figures are for a mere 79 km as one travels from Mutare to Masvingo via Birchenough Bridge,” he said.

On August 22, 2023 there was a serious crash not very far from the school at Murare River. “Road traffic crashes have far-reaching negative effects. Some of you are aware, or indeed even witnessed the spillage from that truck accident and the threat that was posed to humans, domestic animals, and aquatic life. We hear that some kind villagers here promptly applied first aid to the driver and luckily, he is alive.

“I am reliably informed that the Manicaland provincial civil protection committee recommended that the people who rendered help be given first preference in the training programme. Indeed, as the TSCZ, we gave them priority and they are among the first responders seated over there,” Mr Sibanda said.

As the country’s lead agency in road safety, the council has adopted a safe systems approach whereby it is now looking at the post-crash care as well as safe roads, safe people, safer vehicles, and safer speeds.