Road safety a collective responsibility – Govt

Bulawayo (New Ziana) -Road safety is a collective responsibility, and all motorists should adhere to rules and regulations to reduce carnage and ensure safety of the public, a senior government official said.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development Mike Madiro said this at the prize giving ceremony for the National Driver of The Year Competition (DOTY) which the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) held.

He said the government was concerned with the recent surge in road accidents involving public transport and heavy vehicles.

The Driver of The Year (DOTY) competition is an annual event meant to standardise and improve driving in the country and it also serves as an incentive for the business sector to invest in advanced driver training methods.

It was however last held in 2018 due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have noted with concern a number of contributing factors that lead to road fatalities in the country. We are deeply worried and shocked by the recent spate of road accidents involving public transport and heavy vehicles.

“Speeding, drinking and driving, fatigue, unsafe overtaking, ignoring traffic signals and other road signs, general recklessness, inconsiderate, negligent, and aggressive driver behaviour, pedestrian carelessness, unsafe crossing of roads, brake failure, poor lightning and unsafe following distances are some of the causes of accidents, “said Madiro.

He encouraged road users to avoid travelling at night in order to keep safe from the hazards that are mostly prevalent at that time.

“Pedestrians are the most vulnerable roads users, who are mostly likely to be fatally wounded in the crash. As a pedestrian, if you have to go out after dusk, ensure you wear bright clothing so that you are visible,” he said.

Madiro called on law enforcement agents to step up their efforts and become more visible, especially at a time the country is approaching the Heroes holidays, adding it was high time the country raised its bar to arrest road carnage.

This year the DOTY competition coincided with the legislative measures that the government introduced for sustainable driving certification.

The Government promulgated Statutory Instrument 119 of 2023 called the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, on June 23 this year, a development which Madiro said would go a long way in ensuring that drivers of public service vehicles had the requisite experience and skills for safe roads in the country.

“We have also promulgated the SI 118 of 2023 on the need for installation of speed limiting and monitoring devices on public service vehicles so that they do not exceed a speed of 100km/hour.

“It is our fervent hope that the implementation of the two regulations shall make our roads safer going forwards,” said Madiro.

He implored TSCZ to include the commuter omnibus (commonly known as kombis) drivers’ category in the next edition.

“To the TSCZ, I challenge you to bring back the kombi category next year. We have all experienced interaction with kombis on our roads and I know the feeling many have, just by their mention. We need to reintegrate them in the zone of good drivers and their inclusion in the competitions may be one such avenue,” he said.

New Ziana