Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe government is expediting the establishment of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) as part of broader efforts to address the alarming rate of road traffic accidents and enhance overall road safety, a senior official has said.
The Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joshua Sacco said this when he officiated at the Second Annual Road Safety Conference (ARASCO) in Harare on Thursday.
He said the Cabinet has approved the principles of the RAF, which seeks to address the current post-accident management framework, with the existing insurance packages lacking provision for immediate evacuation of accident survivors to medical facilities.
The RAF will provide immediate recourse to medical, funeral expenses, and enhances the capacity of emergency services providers and medical institutions to effectively respond to road crashes in order to save lives.
It will be funded from motor vehicle insurance premiums and any other such funds appropriated by the Treasury.
The establishment of the RAF is inspired by the United Nations, which also operates a United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF), a global multi-partner trust fund that provides grants and technical assistance to support road safety programs and capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries.
Sacco highlighted some of the key initiatives and accomplishments that his Ministry undertook this year alone, including extensive rehabilitation projects on major highways, such as the Harare-Masvingo and Beitbridge-Chirundu corridors, Bulawayo Victoria Falls highway, and others.
“These projects aim to improve road conditions, enhance safety, and facilitate smoother traffic flow. We also implemented a nationwide upgrade of road signage and markings. This includes the installation of reflective road signs and prominent lane markings, which significantly improve visibility and help reduce accidents, particularly at night and during adverse weather conditions,” he said.
“Understanding the importance of protecting vulnerable road users, the Ministry has constructed new pedestrian walkways and cycle lanes in urban areas. Projects in cities like Harare and Bulawayo aim to create safe passages for pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging non-motorized transport. We are also deploying Intelligent Traffic Management systems that utilize real-time data to optimize traffic flow. This technology includes smart traffic signals that adapt to current conditions, reducing congestion and lowering the risk of collisions,” he added.
He said the Ministry resuscitated road maintenance units and introduced a rigorous maintenance schedule for all major roads, ensuring regular inspections and timely repairs. The approach aims to keep the country’s roads in good condition and reduce the frequency of accidents caused by poor infrastructure.
According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, the road crash fatality rate has tragically increased, with approximately 2 000 fatalities reported annually with over 40 000 accidents occurring each year, costing the country about 3 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
The road safety conference was held under the theme: “Overcoming the Challenges of Effective Post-Crash Response in Zimbabwe,” at a time when Zimbabwe seeks to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 25 percent during the National Development Strategy (NDS-1) period.
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