shloboe boe
Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
EDUCATION and awareness raising is central to promoting good driving behaviour and reducing road carnage on the country’s roads.
In its Vision 2030 implemented through the National Development Strategy 1, the Second Republic targets to reduce road traffic fatalities by 50 percent by 2030.
However, amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays, a shadow of road accidents continues to loom on the horizon.
Each year, the country’s roads become perilous battlegrounds, claiming the lives of 2 099 and leaving 9 955 people injured from 51 994 accidents last year.
The numbers are alarming as statistics show that an accident occurred every 15 minutes with at least 150 people dying monthly and during the festive season, the roads are teeming with vehicles, many of them dangerously overloaded.
Police have reported that between 15 and 26 December 2024, a total of 1 211 road traffic accidents were recorded compared to 1 450 during the same period last year. The decline is probably a result of the heavy presence of police and Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) officers on the country’s roads who have been conducting educational campaigns since October when the festive season road awareness campaign was launched.
Despite the educational campaign, 77 people were killed between 15 December and 26 December from 65 fatal accidents, up from 71 who died from 50 fatal accidents last year.
The number of people injured during the festive season rose to 401 from 393 last year, police said.
But, something different is being done, a quiet revolution is taking place across Zimbabwe where authorities that include TSCZ, police, Central Mechanical Engineering Department (CMED), Vehicle Inspectorate Department, Zimbabwe National Road Administration, local authorities, media and individuals have united to tackle the root causes of road accidents.
The goal is not just to enforce laws, but to change hearts and minds, instilling a culture of road safety that will resonate long after the festive season ends.
The safety awareness campaign started with a simple yet powerful message from President Mnangagwa during the commissioning of the 43km Shurugwi-Mandamabwe road where he cautioned drivers not to drink and drive and to observe road rules to avoid causing accidents and killing people unnecessarily.
In the face of rising casualties, the President’s words echoed in the hearts of all who listened, as a call to action for all Zimbabweans to take responsibility for their own safety.
The heavy presence of officers and awareness campaigns are aimed at promoting good road behaviour, safe travel and use of roadworthy vehicles and ultimately reducing the carnage and bringing normalcy.
The campaigns have been visible in Bulawayo’s central business district, along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road and Bulawayo-Harare Road.
TSCZ and police officers at roadblocks and along the streets are no longer mere enforcers of the law but educators, guides and even friends.
In Hwange, on December 20, a young TSCZ officer stood at a roadblock between Dinson Plant and Lukosi, greeting motorists with a warm smile.
She asked drivers about their destinations, listened to their stories and gently reminded them to take it slow, to rest if fatigued and to drive with caution.
There is a change in approach and the way Zimbabweans view driving, not about punishing bad behaviour but preventing accidents before they happen.
One motorist, Mr Gift Muleya, couldn’t help but feel reassured.
“That was really different. Instead of feeling harassed, I felt like I was being educated, in a way that made me think straight. It was more about safety than enforcement,” he said.
As families, friends and travellers are eager to reunite, celebrate and enjoy the joys that come with Unity Day, Christmas and New Year, sadly some end up not reaching their destinations after being involved in accidents.
The thrill of the season often leads to risky behaviour — speeding, overtaking on dangerous stretches and the temptation to drink and drive.
All these contribute to a heartbreaking reality: lives lost unnecessarily, families torn apart and dreams shattered in an instant.
Studies have shown that excitement and the festive atmosphere surrounding holidays often lead to risky behaviours by some drivers, mostly middle-aged.
According to police, a majority of the accidents took place specifically on holiday days – 106 on Unity Day, 104 on Christmas Day and 87 on Boxing Day.
Most traffic accidents involved private vehicles while few involved public service vehicles, including the three buses that collided, killing two people on Unity Day.
Some accidents involved pedestrians and police have urged drivers to be observant.
Most accidents are attributed to reckless driving, human error and the use of defective vehicles.
Authorities have said accidents can always be avoided through behaviour change.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has established that some accidents are caused by fatigue and negligent conduct by drivers. Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that drivers should avoid speeding and overtaking in circumstances that are clearly not safe to do so. Above all, motorists are implored not to overload vehicles when travelling on the country’s roads,” said national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
With the onset of rains, livestock, particularly cattle and donkeys have become dangerous features on the roads as they tend to feed on roadsides thereby causing accidents.
Some drivers also attempt to cross flooded rivers resulting in accidents.
A Greenhorse bus with 75 passengers was swept by a flooded Mletshane River in Gwanda recently after the driver attempted to cross the river, resulting in the tragic deaths of two passengers, including a three-month-old infant.
This is one of many accidents caused by misjudgment by drivers.
The Meteorological Services Department has warned people against crossing flooded rivers, with flooding predicted to increase because of climate change and silting of water bodies.
The country loses approximately US$400 million annually due to road traffic accidents with most victims being economically productive individuals.
The World Health Organisation stated that traffic accidents are a cause of major health problems worldwide where over one million people are killed or disabled annually.
Road authorities have reiterated that roads are a shared space and travellers and motorists should adhere to strict road rules and regulations to reduce carnage on the country’s roads.
Heavy vehicles should avoid moving in a convoy as that may hinder others from overtaking.
Authorities have also been using social media to educate drivers on traffic safety, particularly proper overtaking, maintaining safe following distance, and always driving within speed limits, especially during hazardous conditions.
Mr Gift Haripo from CMED shared practical tips on safe overtaking, urging drivers to assess the road ahead, signal intentions clearly, and always ensure there was enough distance between themselves and oncoming vehicles.
“There are accidents that are likely to happen when overtaking like head-on with oncoming vehicles and sideswipes. Before one overtakes, ask if it is really necessary to overtake.
“Stay back and maintain a safe following distance, check the road ahead and back for passing vehicles.
Signal by indicating before moving to the right. Accelerate and horn the driver you are overtaking that you are now passing. Then signal shows intention to go back to your lane as you move to the left. Cancel indicator and resume speed. We can then safely say one has done safe overtaking,” he said.
Mr Haripo discouraged overtaking at a rail crossing, intersections, continuous lanes, steep roads, bridges, curves, zebra crossings, and speed humps where visibility is reduced hence causing accidents.
It is the TSCZ’s mandate to promote road safety through various activities including education, training, publicity, and research, riding on the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 13:11) which speaks to licensing of drivers, insurance, and other issues.
Despite the growing awareness, the road remains a place of peril with a series of devastating accidents that served as grim reminders of the dangers that still lurk during the festive period.
But it isn’t just about highlighting the problem, it is about offering solutions.
The Act prescribes prohibition from driving, cancellation of driver’s licence as well as culpable homicide as some of the punishments for causing accidents.
Government has also cancelled permits for some bus companies after freak accidents as a way of enforcing adherence to rules.
It is also imperative for the Government to benchmark the Zimbabwe licence system to Sadc, Comesa, and other regional standards to allow smooth observance of road rules in the country which is also transited into the region.
Concerned citizens have also called upon the Government to invest in overhead bridges that allow rivers to flow underneath for the safety of those using roads.
Some of the accidents involve pedestrians who are knocked down by vehicles.
Use of phones and headphones by pedestrians and drivers, little care of children by pedestrians, and crossing at undesignated points are some of the challenging scenarios.
Schoolchildren should also always be encouraged to cross at designated points.
The TSCZ is pushing for the operationalisation of the Road Accident Fund to cater to accident victims and also transform into an agency that has ticketing powers.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development chair, Knowledge Kaitano said, “The issue of traffic safety is a concern to many, and it’s an issue that I believe many of us will take up so we are gladly waiting for the draft Bill to come to Parliament.”
In an interview in Bulawayo, TSCZ managing director Mr Munesu Munodawafa said a number of strategies were being worked on to curb road traffic accidents.
“As part of our efforts to reduce road carnage, in addition to education, we will also be partnering with ZRP and VID. We will assist police in the procurement of breathalysers and we are in discussion on the issue of procurement of speed enforcement cameras. We believe it is one of the aspects that we need to attend to as a country because we have seen accidents arising from speeding.
“In terms of Statutory Instrument 118/23 buses and public vehicles should generally travel within speed limits. So we want to buy cameras in the first or second quarter. We call for compliance of drivers so that we reduce road carnage. As TSCZ we are committed to reducing road accident fatalities by 50 percent by 2030 and we are putting a budget aside for these,” he said.
Mr Munodawafa urged citizens to avoid jaywalking and respect crossing points which may include zebra crossings.
“There are a number of issues we have observed which we will look into. We are going to be engaging local authorities to revive zebra crossings because we are concerned some of them are now feint and may be difficult for drivers to see.
“We also appeal to Zimbabweans to use the Zebra crossings. So we will take this education campaign to schools and tertiary institutions to revive that culture and as an organisation, we are putting some money aside for that,” he said.
Traffic safety has been embraced through the Whole of Government approach and the message has become impossible to ignore.
Commenting on the surge in domestic travel during the holidays, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi called upon citizens not to drink and drive while enjoying the holidays.
The traffic safety awareness story is not just one of tragedy, but also of triumph—of a country coming together to save lives and make its roads a little safer for everyone.
It’s a matter of time before Zimbabweans start to understand that road safety isn’t just a matter of obeying laws but a shared responsibility with all stakeholders playing a role in making the roads safer.
There is a glimmer of hope for fewer accidents, fewer deaths, and a greater sense of responsibility among road users, a foundation key to a safer future.
Authorities should be commended for increasing the number of roadblocks and safety checkpoints across major routes and inculcating among travellers a culture-shifting towards safety, awareness, and accountability.
Members of the public are advised to report errant drivers on the roads at any police station or call the national complaints desk on 0242 703631 or WhatsApp 0712800197. — @ncubeleon
