Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
EVERYONE who gets into a car or bus, whether driver or passenger, is at risk of death.
It is just a fact!
It is beyond reproach that road traffic accidents are just part of the system of the modern life we live, as people commute from one point to another.
Now that we are fast approaching this year’s festive season, there is need to ensure that the country in general, and the Province of Manicaland in particular, significantly reduce statistics of road traffic accidents usually associated with this period year-in, year-out.
While many assume that alcohol and speed, and especially the deadly combination of these factors are the major contributors to road accidents, there are many other influences.
Several factors contribute to traffic accidents, including poor road conditions, reckless driving, fatigue, sleep disorders, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, illness, using mobile phones, eating or drinking while driving, not paying attention after a crash, and the inability of other drivers to react quickly to the situation.
All these and other factors contribute to road traffic accidents.
It is against this background that Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation chairperson, Dr Samson Nhanhanga, in a recent interview, noted that they have upped their game to ensure that some of the avoidable acts of misconduct can be circumvented.
“We surely need to ensure that we prepare for the festive season as public transport operators, and play our role in the reduction of road traffic accidents.
“It is wrong for us not to prepare well to see to it that we have enough staff to carry out the enormous workload associated with the festive season in our industry. This entails ensuring that there are enough drivers to avoid people driving with fatigue.
“Basic servicing of our vehicles and making sure that our vehicles are roadworthy is also an important aspect that we have been reminding each other as we get to the festive season.
“Our wish is that we experience an exciting festive season. One life lost on the road is just too many. Issues relating to speeding and overloading must be avoided at all costs.
“It is also imperative to note that we are all in this together, hence all stakeholders, including law enforcement agents, the travelling public as well as we the bus operators do the right thing,” he said.
Ideally, road accidents are a huge economic burden to a nation.
Accidents can cause significant financial losses that put a strain on the economy.
The economic impact of road accidents includes costs related to medical expenses, property damage, human resources loss and loss of productivity.
Family members also need to take time off from work or school to take care of the injured, which leads to further loss of productivity.
Road traffic crashes cost most countries approximately three percent of their Gross Domestic Product.
This is according to a Road Traffic Injuries report in 2022 compiled by The World Health Organisation (WHO).
In international development, road safety is being linked with the broader vision of sustainable development through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDGs are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity.
Addressing the risk of death and injury in road traffic is fundamental to achieving the SDGs.
Within the SDG framework, there are two targets that specifically address road safety.
However, road safety also has links to many related targets.
Every year, road traffic accidents claim the lives of around 1,3 million individuals around the world.
Moreover, between 20 to 50 million people suffer from non-fatal injuries due to such accidents, and many of them end up with disabilities as a result of their injuries.
This is according to the World Health Organisation.
The impact is far beyond stoppage of traffic, the immediate need for emergency services and police intervention to redirect vehicles.
It is against this background that Government will deploy ambulances along major highways and establish dedicated wards in hospitals and clinics specifically for accident victims this festive season.
The initiative is designed to ensure that every individual involved in a road accident receives immediate medical attention, increasing their chances of survival and recovery.
With ambulances stationed at key tollgates across the country, rapid response is now a top priority.
This development coincides with Government’s plan to establish a Road Accident Fund, an initiative aimed at providing crucial insurance coverage for victims of road crashes in the country.
In light of the alarming rise in fatal accidents, it is believed that the fund is, not just timely, but also essential as it will facilitate prompt rehabilitation and compensation for injured individuals.
It will also offer personal insurance to victims and their families, ensuring that no one is left to bear the financial burden alone.
In a recent interview with our sister paper, The Herald, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Honourable Felix Mhona emphasised the urgency of policy interventions, noting that President Mnangagwa has called for robust strategies to combat the growing epidemic of road carnage.
“It is imperative to innovate when faced with such a significant challenge. We have witnessed a distressing increase in fatalities on our roads, and His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, has made it clear that we must take immediate, effective action.”
Minister Mhona highlighted the critical importance of the “golden hour” — the crucial first hour after an accident when timely medical intervention can save lives.
“Our goal is to ensure that victims are transported to a nearby hospital within this vital timeframe, where they can receive the urgent care they need,” he said.
Tied to this, there is also need to ensure that road safety education has a rightful place within the school curriculum and as an integral part of existing subjects.
Basic road user education outcomes should be integral within the core curriculum, appropriate to each age group and stage of development.
Then employers, driving instructors, teachers and, most importantly of all, parents, will all know that when a young person reaches the age of seven, 11, 14 or 17, what we expect them to know and have been taught about using the roads.
Local educationist, Mr Mathias Madakadze said: “This means road safety education should be incorporated within lessons such as Science, Maths, English, Shona and Geography.
“This is not time consuming as some adjustments should be done within the lesson contents. We have the content already – through Artificial Intelligence and all we just need is to incorporate it.
“This should include practical learning too: Pedestrian training followed later by Bikeability as a core part of the primary and secondary school curriculum so that every child has the opportunity to learn to cycle and, thus, how to use the road.
“They need to know what road signs and markings mean, and what to expect other road users and vehicles will do.”
In the same breath, dealing with road traffic rules offenders is paramount.
There is need to be more consistency nationally when disposing of offenders so that the family and relatives feel that justice has been done.
After all, justice must, not only be done, but must also be seen to be done, they say!
It is right and proper that each case should be treated on its individual merit, and that there are police and judiciary systems that can deal dispassionately with the offence.
There is need to do more to ensure that there is some commonality with court outcomes, and improve clarity and consistency in official reporting.
The Manica Post can only wish you all a safe festive season on the roads!
