Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe government is moving towards adopting smart traffic management though procuring breathalysers and artificial intelligence (AI) devices to tackle the surge in accidents, mainly caused by reckless driving, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement meeting recently, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) and other government entities, is implementing the initiative under the coordination of the Office of the President and Cabinet.
“The devices will combat and reduce drunk driving, which is becoming increasingly prevalent on our roads,” he said.
“I urge the public to actively support these efforts by reporting reckless driving and adhering to traffic regulations. We must all take responsibility as citizens to report dangerous driving immediately. Mhona revealed that in 2023, Zimbabwe recorded 51 924 accidents, resulting in 2 099 fatalities and 9 955 injuries. He said the figures rose slightly in 2024, with 52 288 accidents and 2 108 deaths, representing a 1 percent increase in fatalities and underscoring the urgent need for intervention. ”
The rise in fatalities, even by one percent, highlights the persistent threat of road accidents. Every incident has devastating consequences for families and society at large. “These statistics emphasise the need for sustained road safety campaigns to educate drivers, improve infrastructure, and enforce traffic laws,” he said.
Mhona expressed concern over Africa’s road safety crisis, noting that while the continent accounts for 20 percent of the world’s vehicles, it suffers 80 percent of global road crashes.
He added that road injuries cost low and middle-income countries an estimated US$100 billion annually, funds he said could otherwise be channeled into schools, hospitals, and economic development.
Road crashes drain 1 to 2 percent of national Gross Domestic Products (GDPs), with Zimbabwe losing approximately US$406 million yearly, which is 3 percent of its GDP, due to traffic injuries.
“We can recover financial losses, but the loss of life is permanent and brings immeasurable pain. While property can be insured, human life cannot,” he said.
Mhona noted that 94 percent of fatal accidents stem from negligence, raising concerns over driver competence and corruption in licensing and training of drivers.
While the government has rehabilitated major highways including the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu and Mutare route, Mhona noted an unintended consequence of speeding on improved roads.
New Ziana
