BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
23 December 2024 at 1:27pm
As the festive season approaches, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have launched a nationwide campaign urging motorists to strictly adhere to traffic regulations to ensure road safety during the busy Christmas period.
In a joint interview done by Hevoi FM News Online, officials from both organisations emphasised the importance of responsible driving so as to reduce road accidents, which traditionally spike during the holiday season.
TSCZ spokesperson Mrs Lucy Kuwandira Mapfumo highlighted that it is important to save lives by promoting awareness about the dangers of speeding, drunk driving, and ignoring road signs.
“The festive season is upon us and as such it is a period we experience high volumes of traffic on our roads. It is therefore important for drivers to ensure safety at all times when they are using the roads. It is also important to avoid reckless driving which takes the form of speeding, overloading, drunk driving and failure to adhere to traffic laws. So, at this particular moment we are encouraging motorists to adhere to traffic laws to ensure that they abide by the speed limits that are stipulated. We also encourage our motorists to service their vehicles before embarking on a journey,” said Mapfumo.
On the other hand, police released a press statement with regards to the festive season this week. Police in Masvingo augmented this by sounding a warning to road users during a Crime Watch Radio Programme that was hosted by this reporter on Friday at Hevoi FM Radio Station from 7:00pm-7:30pm on Friday.
In as much as police do admit that Christmas time is a time for celebration, they are saying that it should not turn into a time of mourning due to preventable road accidents.
“Motorists should desist from carrying excess passengers and goods. Excess passengers shall be requested to disembark at traffic checkpoints. Speed may thrill but safety should prevail. Respect speed limits, plan journeys on time to avoid speeding. Do not drink and drive. Stay sober on the road,” read part of the press statement.
ZRP Commissioner Paul Nyathi echoed these sentiments, warning that law enforcement agencies would be out in full force to ensure compliance.
“Motorists should expect increased police presence on major highways and urban roads. We will be conducting roadblocks, checking for valid licenses, roadworthiness certificates, and adherence to speed limits among others. Those found violating traffic laws will face the full wrath of the law,” Nyathi stated.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, recently reiterated: “We will deal decisively with any situations we believe have not been properly handled by the officers manning roadblocks.”
Statistics from the TSCZ indicate that 2099 people died while 9955 got seriously injured out of the 51 994 accidents that took place last year. This time around the authorities have vowed to lower these figures through a combination of education and enforcement.
The campaign includes road safety awareness workshops, media broadcasts, and the distribution of pamphlets at toll gates and bus terminals. Passengers have also been encouraged to report reckless driving by public transport operators.
Both organisations appealed to motorists to consider the safety of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
“As we head into the holiday season, let’s make it our collective responsibility to ensure every journey ends safely. Let`s kill the speed, and let`s drive to arrive alive,” said Mapfumo.
The campaign, under the theme “Normal speed meets every need,” has been generally hailed by the majority of the people as it seeks to address the critical need for safe driving speeds and responsible driving practices.
The public is urged to report traffic violations or emergencies through the TSCZ and ZRP hotlines, which will be operational 24/7 throughout the festive season.