Zim and SA conduct anti-carnage campaign

Gwanda (Ilanga-New Ziana) -The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and the Road Accident Fund of South Africa are conducting a campaign along the Beitbrdge- Bulawayo highway to raise awareness among motorists on the need to be cautious when driving to avoid accidents.

When an Ilanga news crew visited Mopane road block, 5km from Gwanda town along the Beitbridge highway where the joint operation was being conducted, motorists, especially those coming from South Africa for the festive season, gave a thumbs up to organizers of the campaign, saying it would assist in curbing and reducing road accidents.

One of the motorists, Elvis Moyo who was coming from South Africa and going to Gwambe village in Plumtree said: “I would like to thank and applaud this anti-carnage campaign because what we are experiencing along the road is very bad.”

“People are dying and their annual savings and properties are being lost or totally damaged due to road accidents. I am therefore saying thank you to the organizers because the awareness is going to work,” he said.

Moyo urged other motorists to avoid speeding as it was a major cause of accidents.

“To my fellow drivers, I say let us cooperate and adhere to traffic rules and regulations. If you are tired just get a rest, park on the side of the road and drive later,” he said.

Motshi Khutlapye from the Road Accident Fund of South Africa weighed in and urged motorists to always be alert when driving.

“Basically, South African roads and Zimbabwean roads are similar and the pattern of road carnage is the same. I would like to urge road users to be alert and respect road rules,” he said.

“An accident takes seconds to happen. Drivers must know that they are responsible for the passengers” lives hence they must be extra careful,” he said.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said fatigue was a major cause for accidents especially among long distance drivers.

“We always advise drivers to rest or to exchange the steering wheel with a fresh driver because fatigue cannot be outdone,” he said.

New Ziana