Harare, (New Ziana) – The government is encouraging all road freight and passenger transport operators to form and join service associations of their choice as part of ways to curb traffic accidents on the country’s highways and roads, a cabinet minister has said.

The country was hit in recent days by a spate of road traffic accidents which claimed 26 lives, and left 56 others injured.

Authorities attribute most accidents to speeding, drunken driving and negligence. Incidents of unroadworthy vehicles involved in road carnages are also common.

In a statement, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, said government was concerned by the growing carnage on the country’s roads, and implored operators offering freight and passenger transport services to join self-regulating service associations to help curb traffic accidents.

“It is with a heavy heart that I address the nation on the recent spate of road traffic crashes witnessed during the past two weeks. Tragically, a cumulative of 26 people were killed whilst 56 others were injured in five separate road crashes, involving public service vehicles, which occured in Melfort, Mutoko, Esigodini, Rusape and Mazowe,” he said.

He said transport associations, which self-policed its members on compliance with traffic rules, were an important element in efforts to curb road accidents, hence government calls for operators to form and belong to these.

“The Ministry rallies all traffic law enforcement agencies, road traffic safety actors, motorists and road users to collaborate against road fatalities,” Mhona said.

“We urge the nation to formulate rational decisions in making travel choices and prioritise use of safer road traffic management regimes, where all actors play their part for traffic safety.”

On its part, he said government would formulate a robust legal, policy and administrative mechanism to improve the country’s road safety regime.

New Ziana