Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Gibson Mhaka, Senior Reporter
DECEMBER 20, 2019, is the day Ms Memory Dube (55) from North End suburb in Bulawayo wants to forget.
Ms Dube, a vibrant woman now confined to a wheelchair, lost her husband in a devastating road traffic accident on that day.
The crumpled remains of the car still haunts her dreams.
The crash not only shattered her physical health but also left her struggling to care for their young children alone.
“My life changed forever that day. The accident shattered my world. I remember the tyres screeching, the impact, and then darkness. When I woke up, I was in the hospital, my body aching, my husband gone,” recounted Ms Dube.
“The doctors told me I would never walk again. My world crumbled. I was left to care for our children alone, struggling to cope with the loss and the limitations of my disability.
“It’s been a long and difficult journey, but I’m trying my best to provide for my children and rebuild my life,” she said, with her voice filled with emotion.
Ms Dube’s story mirrors that of many others as road traffic injuries are a silent epidemic claiming lives and leaving countless families shattered.
In developing countries such as Zimbabwe, the burden is particularly heavy, with limited resources and inadequate infrastructure exacerbating the problem.
Road traffic accidents are a substantial yet under-served public health issue that requires immediate attention.
They place a significant burden on healthcare systems, straining resources and diverting attention from other critical health concerns.
The economic impact is also substantial, with lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and the social costs of disability and family disruption.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), traffic accidents cause major health problems worldwide and are a significant concern for health institutions.
Nearly 1,35 million people are killed or disabled in traffic accidents every year. In 2019, 93 percent of road traffic injury-related mortality occurred in low and middle-income countries, with an estimated burden of 1,3 million deaths.
By 2030, road traffic injuries are projected to be the seventh leading cause of death globally.
It is clear from WHO that road traffic accident injuries and deaths are a neglected global health issue and if left unaddressed, this will undoubtedly lead to more casualties.
Road traffic crashes exert a significant economic burden on nations worldwide, with estimates suggesting they cost most countries around three percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
As stated by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), the principal agent in promoting traffic safety in the country, an average of 1 800 people are killed on Zimbabwe’s roads annually while 30 000 others are injured.
These staggering figures translate to approximately five people losing their lives and 38 others sustaining injuries every single day on our roads.
This alarming trend demands a more robust and comprehensive response, particularly in developing countries where the burden of these tragedies is most acutely felt.
Policy makers must recognise the urgent need to address this crisis with well-designed and effectively implemented policies.
According to a road safety advocate, who is also a member of the Zimbabwe Driving Schools Owners Association (ZDSOA, while the growth in numbers of motor vehicles is a major contributing factor in the rising toll of fatalities and injuries from road traffic crashes in developing countries like Zimbabwe, the high burden is primarily due to poor enforcement of traffic safety regulations.
“An explanation for the high burden of road traffic injuries in low-income countries lies in the poor enforcement of traffic safety regulations due to inadequate resources, administrative problems, and corruption.
“Corruption is a significant problem in some developing countries, often creating a vicious cycle of blame, where the police blame drivers and the public, the public blames drivers and the police, and drivers blame the police.
Corruption also extends to vehicle and driver licensing agencies,” said the traffic safety advocate who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He said another contributing factor is the inadequacy of the public health infrastructure in providing treatment for traffic injuries.
“For example, in developing countries, there are very few health facilities well-prepared to treat trauma cases resulting from traffic crashes. The poor public health infrastructure means that patients often do not receive appropriate care promptly.
“This delay can significantly compromise the patient’s recovery, as there is a strong correlation between the time taken to receive appropriate treatment and the likelihood of adverse health outcomes and long-term disability,” he explained.
It is crucial to recognise that traffic laws pertaining to drunk-driving, seat-belt wearing, speed limits, and other crucial aspects will only effectively reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries if they are consistently and rigorously enforced.
If traffic laws are not enforced or are perceived as being unenforced, compliance is unlikely, and their impact on driver behaviour will be minimal.
Effective enforcement necessitates the establishment, regular updating, and strict enforcement of laws at the national, municipal, and local levels that address these critical risk factors.
This includes the definition and implementation of appropriate penalties for violations.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 festive season road safety awareness campaign recently, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona urged drivers to maintain vigilance and adhere to traffic regulations, listing key behaviours to avoid, namely speeding, overloading, neglecting road signs, multi-tasking while driving, and operating defective vehicles.
“The police are under strict instruction to arrest and refer for prosecution motorists who violate laid down regulations,” he said.
Minister Mhona said they would “deal decisively with any situations they believe have not been properly handled by the officers manning roadblocks”.
The theme for this year’s campaign, “Normal speed meets every need”, emphasises the critical importance of adhering to safe driving speeds and fostering responsible driving attitudes.
Minister Mhona also warned that road crashes lead to injuries and fatalities which burden families and the health sector, creating a strain on the economy.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said law enforcement is important to ensure all vehicles on the road are roadworthy.
He expressed concern regarding the high accident rates and the need for accountability among police officers manning roadblocks.
“I have discussed this issue with the Commissioner General of Police and senior police officers and clearly expressed that from now onwards, such incidents must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe board chairperson, Mr Kura Sibanda, said the poor behaviour displayed on roads has had a direct and indirect impact on road safety.
He highlighted the opportunity to save lives by addressing key risk factors, such as speeding and inadequate vehicle maintenance.
It is important to acknowledge that road traffic injuries and deaths are largely preventable.
There is need for the Government to take a holistic approach to addressing road safety.
This requires involvement from multiple sectors such as transport, police, health and education, as well as the private sector and civil society organisations. It requires actions that address the safety of roads, vehicles and all road users.
Effective interventions include designing safer infrastructure and incorporating road safety features into land-use and transport planning, improving the safety features of vehicles; enhancing post-crash care for victims of road traffic crashes; setting and enforcing laws relating to key risks, and raising public awareness.
