As the festive season approaches, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has announced that it has put in place measures to curb road traffic accidents.
Minister Felix Mhona was addressing concerns raised by parliamentarian, Sipho Mlotshwa, about the surge of accidents during the festive season.
In 2023, the country recorded 1 082 accidents and 154 fatalities, while in 2022 a total of 2 154 accidents were recorded, with 143 deaths.
Minister Mhona acknowledged that human error is a major cause of road accidents, and called for more awareness and education.
He said the ministry has been working with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe to educate motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists about road safety.
“As a nation, we cannot continue losing precious lives on our roads. In a number of cases, such accidents are attributed to human error. We have been raising awareness through the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, educating the motorists, the motoring public and even the citizens, that we must uphold the sanctity of life whenever we are on our roads, whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist,” he said.
“We have witnessed some drivers who are driving under the influence of drugs and substances and they have been continuing.
We have also witnessed that a number of these drivers are driving public service vehicles.”
Minister Mhona said they will launch the annual Festive Season Road Safety Campaign which will run from December 15, 2024 to January 15, 2025.
“According to a recent survey that was conducted in this country, we are losing an average of five precious lives per day and this is quite a disturbing number. As a Ministry, you will see us as we launch the festive season campaign,” he said.
“Usually, it starts on the 15th of December 2024 up to the 15th of January 2025 but before that, you are going to be seeing us doing road shows, also through the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.”
He added: “We have other initiatives, of trying to educate and conscientise motorists and those who are using our roads that as much as we partake on a journey, we must make sure that we safeguard those who are also using the roads.”
