Drivers urged to observe road rules to save lives

THE number of festive season accidents can be cut if drivers abide by road traffic rules, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, has said.

Multi-agency teams from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Vehicle Inspection Department, will soon be deployed to educate citizens on road and safety rules and then enforce the rules if drivers still fail to comply.

While the education of road users is the starting point, enforcement will follow.

“Enforcers are urged to arrest all transgressors of road traffic laws and refer them for prosecution without fear or favour,” said Minister Mhona.

Given that it’s the rainy season, motorists are advised to take extreme care as rains reduce visibility, make roads slippery while vehicles can be washed away by rivers in flood.

Minister Mhona urged motorists not to attempt to cross rivers in flood or over flooded bridges as they seriously risk their lives by doing so.

“As you are aware, the Government is implementing the ongoing Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 in terms of SI 47 of 2021,” he said. “As you drive you will witness several detours along our roads, including highways. Kindly drive carefully along detours as some may be slippery due to rains.”

Road traffic densities increase when the rainy season is at its peak, during the holiday season, and with extra traffic there is an increase in road traffic deaths and injuries.

Drivers have to avoid speeding, overloading, disregarding road signs, multi-tasking such as drinking or chatting on the cellphone while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving vehicles with defects and worn-out tyres, driving vehicles fitted with illegal additional headlights, road rage, and attempting to go through rivers in flood and over flooded bridges even with an empty bus.

Minister Mhona said Zimbabweans have to take stock of what happened this year and avoid a repetition of such unpleasant statistics next year.

“We want to thank all Zimbabweans and visitors to our country during the year 2023 for heeding our call to observe rules and regulations on our roads throughout the year,” he said.

“However, the year 2023 was not without unfortunate incidents on our roads. Let me express our deep-seated condolences to the families of the deceased and those who got injured in the road accidents during the year 2023.”