Let’s ensure road safety: Traffic Safety
2 min read
By Margaret Kamba
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has urged motorists to adhere to road rules in order to reduce road carnage.
Most traffic accidents and deaths are caused by human error as drivers get impatient with long traffic queues and jams either in city centres along the highways.
Speaking about low speeds on the inner lane, Traffic Safety Council’s Media and Corporate Communications Officer Lucy Kuwandira said driving slowly results in accidents.
“Section 50 subsection 1 of the Road Traffic Act states that any person who drives a vehicle on a road at a speed that is slower than the appropriate minimum speed provided for in respect of that road shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment. In that regard, we would like to reiterate that driving below the recommended appropriate minimum speed limit in the inner lane while in the Highway slows down traffic and it causes other drivers to drive recklessly which is also a bigger problem we have in our country,” Kuwandira said.
“Hence, let us all work together to ensure that we practice total road safety. Since the rainy season is upon us, it is important to note that this season is characterised by heavy rains and winds hence, drivers should ensure that wipers, brakes and tyres are in good condition.
“The tyres should have a tread groove which is less than 5mm. During this season, roads become slippery due to rains and as stipulated by the Defensive Driving Course that drivers should always adjust to the conditions of the road, it is important for drivers to reduce speed and maintain a safe following distance. In addition, some roads have potholes which may be filled with water and that may cause difficulties in navigation that is why we encourage drivers to reduce speed at all cost in an effort to avoid road crashes.”
Road traffic accident statistics for the period 15 December 2022 and 5 January 2023 indicate that 127 people have died while 489 have been injured. 95 fatal accidents were recorded out of a total of 1998 accidents
The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that drivers must be observant and concentrate while on the steering wheel to curtail fatal road traffic accidents adding that motorists should stop when involved in road traffic accidents, assist the injured if necessary and report all accidents to the Police within 24 hours.
The Police implores motorists to be responsible and strive to promote road safety on the country’s roads.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will continue to deploy police officers to curb road carnage and reckless driving conduct on the roads. The Police needs the cooperation of motorists for road safety to be to be realised in the country.
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