TRAFFIC COPS TO BE HELD LIABLE, SAYS MINISTER newsdzeZimbabweNewsdzeZimbabwe

TRAFFIC COPS TO BE HELD LIABLE, SAYS MINISTER newsdzeZimbabweNewsdzeZimbabwe

In response to the rising number of road accidents, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Felix Mhana has announced a tough new policy aimed at curbing the escalating number of road accidents in Zimbabwe.

Speaking before the Senate, the minister announced that any vehicle involved in an accident after passing through a manned roadblock would lead to the roadblock officials being held accountable.

The past few months have seen an alarming increase in traffic accidents across the country, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

This increase is due to various factors, including reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles, and inadequate enforcement of traffic rules.

Manicaland Senator Jane Chistamba expressed concern over the issue and asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development what the ministry was doing to stem the rise in road accidents, which have become a weekly occurrence claiming hundreds of lives on Zimbabwe’s roads, especially among public transport users.

“There is a lot of recklessness on the part of public transport drivers,” she said.

According to the Zimbabwe Road Safety Council, from January to May 2024, the country witnessed a total of 21,183 road accidents, killing 860 people and injuring 4,350.

In January, there were 3,915 total accidents, 138 fatalities, and 797 injuries. In February, there were 3,913 accidents, 104 fatalities, and 713 injuries. March saw 4,431 accidents, with 211 fatalities and 940 injuries. April saw 4,219 accidents, 203 fatalities, and 990 injuries. In May, there were 4,705 accidents, with 204 fatalities and 910 injuries.

These figures indicate an ongoing road safety problem, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement of traffic rules and better vehicle maintenance practices.

The minister stressed the seriousness of the situation, noting that the new policy aims to ensure greater accountability and diligence among traffic enforcement officers.

“It is extremely sad that we have lost more than 26 precious lives in the month of June alone, with more than 56 people injured,” said Mahna.

“We are taking serious action on mitigation measures as a ministry, but this requires a holistic approach. Where we have seen recklessness, where we have not maintained the sanctity of life on our roads, where people are driving under the influence of alcohol, and through enforcement agents, we have said if a vehicle passes through a manned checkpoint and is involved in an accident, those responsible are responsible.”

“Not only that, but even the operators of those buses. So we are not only charging the drivers,” he added.

Mahna pointed out that in all the reported accidents, the vehicles did not have validity certificates, indicating that they were not roadworthy.

“So, we cannot continue to watch. We cannot continue to allow such lawlessness and chaos on our roads. We are now introducing a very strong legal instrument to address such malpractices.”

“We are witnessing the loss of 2,000 lives every year in this small country of Zimbabwe. We cannot continue to tolerate this alarming number. I would like to assure the honourable House that we will not rest on our laurels as a ministry, but we will continue to appeal to this honourable House to take deterrent measures,” he continued.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Some welcomed the move and considered it a necessary step to improve road safety and reduce accidents.

“Holding those responsible accountable will lead to more comprehensive inspections and adherence to safety standards,” said a Bulawayo resident.

However, some traffic enforcement officers have expressed concerns about the practicality and fairness of this policy.

“Although well-intentioned, it can put undue pressure on officers and lead to them being unfairly blamed for accidents that are beyond their control,” commented one traffic officer.




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