BY SAMUEL NJINGA
As the first heavy rains pound Zimbabwe’s highways and rural roads, the country enters a season defined by both renewal and risk. The rainy months breathe life into the land, replenishing rivers and sustaining agriculture. Yet on the roads, they mark the beginning of one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year — a time when wet surfaces, reduced visibility and increased festive traffic converge with deadly consequences.
Each year, the period leading to Christmas and New Year records a surge in road traffic accidents. Families travel long distances to reunite, public transport operators increase trips to meet demand, and fatigue sets in after long hours behind the wheel. Add heavy rainfall, slippery roads and, in some cases, alcohol abuse, and the result is a volatile mix.
The 2025 festive season provided a sobering reminder of the scale of the challenge. Between December 15 and 26, the Zimbabwe Republic Police recorded 2 412 road traffic accidents — nearly double the 1 211 accidents reported during the same period in 2024. Of these, 87 were fatal crashes, claiming 100 lives, compared to 77 deaths the previous year. A further 471 people were injured.
Behind those numbers are shattered families and communities forced to begin the new year in mourning.
Slippery surfaces and structural strain
The science behind rainy season crashes is straightforward. During prolonged dry spells, oil residue, dust and debris accumulate on road surfaces. When the first rains fall, this mixture creates a slick film that drastically reduces tyre grip. Drivers who fail to reduce speed or increase following distance often lose control, especially when braking suddenly.
Potholes, already prevalent on many roads, become even more dangerous when filled with water. A driver cannot gauge their depth, increasing the likelihood of tyre bursts, damaged suspension systems or abrupt swerving that places other motorists at risk.
Blocked drainage systems compound the problem. Water pools on roadways, creating conditions conducive to aquaplaning — a phenomenon in which tyres lose contact with the road surface due to a thin layer of water. In such moments, steering and braking become temporarily ineffective, often with catastrophic results.
Infrastructure maintenance, therefore, is not cosmetic — it is lifesaving. Regular road inspections, timely pothole repairs and functional drainage systems can significantly reduce accident risks during heavy rains. Investment in road quality is, fundamentally, an investment in human life.
Flooded crossings: A recurring tragedy
Zimbabwe has repeatedly witnessed tragic scenes of vehicles swept away while attempting to cross flooded rivers. What appears shallow can conceal powerful undercurrents and unexpected depths. Even a 4×4 vehicle is no match for fast-moving floodwaters.
The message from authorities remains unequivocal: do not attempt to cross flooded rivers or bridges. Turning back may delay a journey, but it preserves life.
The Civil Protection Unit, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) routinely issue travel advisories during heavy rainfall. Compliance with these directives is critical. In many cases, avoidable deaths occur not because warnings were absent, but because they were ignored.
Preparedness also matters. Drivers in flood-prone areas are encouraged to carry emergency kits containing a flashlight, extra batteries, basic first aid supplies, drinking water and a charged mobile phone. Reporting flooded roads to authorities can prevent others from driving into danger.
Reduced visibility, heightened vulnerability
Rainfall and fog significantly reduce visibility. Headlights blur through sheets of water, pedestrians become difficult to spot, and road markings fade beneath reflective glare. During such conditions, even experienced drivers can misjudge distance and speed.
Vehicle maintenance becomes especially important. Functional wiper blades, working demisters and properly aligned headlights are basic but essential safeguards. Motorists are advised to use headlights during heavy rain, even in daylight, to improve visibility for themselves and other road users.
Pedestrians and cyclists remain among the most vulnerable. Of the 100 fatalities recorded during the 2025 festive period, 37 were pedestrians and 44 were passengers — a stark reminder that those outside the protective shell of a vehicle bear a disproportionate share of the risk.
In many communities, inadequate sidewalks and poorly marked crossings force pedestrians onto busy roads. Investment in pedestrian-friendly infrastructure — raised crossings, clear signage and maintained walkways — is critical, particularly during the rainy months.
Behavioural risk factors
While weather plays a significant role, human behaviour remains the dominant factor in road carnage. Speeding on wet roads, dangerous overtaking, driver fatigue and drunk driving magnify the inherent risks of adverse weather conditions.
The festive season brings social gatherings and celebrations, but driving under the influence of alcohol or while exhausted turns celebration into catastrophe. Law enforcement agencies typically intensify patrols, conduct sobriety checks and monitor speed violations during this period. Yet enforcement alone cannot compensate for poor decision-making.
Road safety experts consistently emphasise defensive driving — anticipating hazards, adjusting speed to conditions and maintaining safe following distances. The Defensive Driving Course offered by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe equips motorists with practical skills to navigate adverse weather safely. Education, when combined with enforcement, strengthens compliance and cultivates a culture of responsibility.
Technology and community action
Advances in technology offer new opportunities to mitigate risk. Real-time weather updates, flood alerts and mobile navigation systems that provide alternative routes empower drivers to make informed decisions. Access to timely information can mean the difference between a safe detour and a fatal encounter with floodwaters.
Community engagement also plays a vital role. Clearing drainage systems, reporting hazardous road conditions and participating in local awareness campaigns foster shared accountability. Road safety is not the responsibility of authorities alone — it is a collective duty.
A crisis demanding collective resolve
Zimbabwe’s broader road safety landscape underscores the urgency of action. Nationally, thousands lose their lives annually in traffic accidents, with public holidays and festive periods consistently recording spikes. The near doubling of accidents during the 2025 festive stretch signals a worrying trend: despite awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts, risky behaviours persist.
The rainy season need not translate into rising death tolls. Practical steps — slowing down, maintaining vehicles, obeying traffic laws, respecting flood warnings and prioritising pedestrian safety — can dramatically reduce casualties.
As families prepare to travel during the festive season, the stakes could not be higher. Every journey carries responsibility — to passengers, to pedestrians, to fellow motorists and to the communities waiting at the destination.
Rain will continue to fall. Roads will become slick. Traffic will increase. But road carnage is not inevitable.
Through sustained infrastructure investment, strengthened enforcement, continuous education and responsible individual choices, Zimbabwe can confront its festive season road safety crisis. The ultimate measure of success will not be the number of vehicles on the road, but the number of lives that arrive safely home.