Police in Bulawayo have issued a stern warning to pedestrians against using earphones, headphones, or mobile phones while crossing roads, saying the behaviour is contributing to a growing number of traffic accidents, particularly in the Central Business District (CBD).
On Friday afternoon, police officers conducted an awareness campaign in the CBD, rounding up pedestrians who were wearing earphones or using cellphones while crossing the road and cautioning them about the dangers associated with distracted walking.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said police are recording at least five cases daily of pedestrians being hit by vehicles in the CBD, with most incidents linked to distraction.
“There has been a worrying trend in terms of the number of cases that we are receiving about pedestrians who are hit by cars because they were distracted by earphones,” said Insp Msebele during the campaign.
“At least five people are hit by cars every day, and in most cases it is because of earphones. If such behaviour continues, pedestrians will end up being fined for such conduct.”
Inspector Msebele said police have a constitutional mandate to ensure the safety and protection of all residents, hence the decision to publicly educate pedestrians on the risks of distracted road use.
“We cannot, as a city, have such high cases of pedestrians being hit by cars every day. We arrest motorists for hitting pedestrians, but in some cases we find that it is the pedestrians who are in the wrong,” she said.
“It is our constitutional mandate to ensure the safety of the people. If you are failing to take care of yourselves responsibly, we will take care of you. Can we all be more careful when using the roads.”
She explained that pedestrians using earphones often fail to hear warning signals from motorists, cyclists, or fellow pedestrians.
“You find that a person fails to hear a car hooting, a bicycle ringing a bell, or fellow pedestrians and onlookers who are trying to warn them of looming danger because they are listening to music,” said Insp Msebele.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo United Passenger Transport Association (BUPTA) chief rank marshal Israel Mabuza commended police for the campaign, noting that several drivers have been charged in accidents where pedestrians were at fault.
“This is a great challenge that we have been facing as drivers. Some drivers have been arrested for knocking down pedestrians, yet these people would be plugging earphones while crossing the road,” said Mabuza.
He added that the situation is worsened by the rainy season, which affects road conditions and visibility.
“Especially now during the rainy season, the state of the roads is even worse. A driver will be trying to navigate, but pedestrians will be disconnected from what is happening around them,” he said.
“Even if you hoot, that person won’t hear you. In the end, cars may bump into each other as drivers try to avoid hitting a pedestrian, leading to costs that could have been avoided.”
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