Road traffic accidents are causing huge human and economic losses in Zimbabwe, with the country losing at least five lives daily and an estimated $400 million annually, according to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona.
Addressing the Senate during a question-and-answer session last week, Mhona highlighted the critical issue of unregistered vehicles and those without valid permits contributing to the high accident rates. He emphasized the need for closer cooperation with the police to curb this trend.
“It’s quite disturbing that a number of accidents involve vehicles that are not registered or lack valid permits. This is something we are working closely with the police to address,” Mhona stated.
Mhona revealed that the nation is grappling with a significant number of fatalities due to road accidents. “We are losing close to 2,000 lives annually due to road accidents, which is unsustainable. In monetary terms, we are losing around $406 million per year due to fatalities, injuries, hospitalizations, and the resulting burden on beneficiaries,” he explained.
The minister urged drivers to exercise greater caution on the roads to help reduce the number of accidents. “As a nation, we cannot continue to witness such numbers where we are losing close to five lives per day. It is not sustainable. I humbly plea to everyone to uphold the sanctity of life on our roads,” he said.
To combat the rising number of road accidents, the government plans to accelerate road safety awareness programs, particularly through schools. Additionally, joint operations with the police and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) are set to be intensified to ensure compliance with traffic regulations.
“We are going to accelerate road awareness programs through schools and make joint operations with the police and VID so that people adhere to traffic regulations,” Mhona noted.
One of the critical measures the government is close to implementing is the reintroduction of speed cameras. These cameras will monitor and regulate speeding, which is a significant contributor to road accidents.
“In terms of introducing speed cameras, we are at an advanced stage. Beyond that, we are implementing additional mechanisms to mitigate speeding and ensure vehicles are registered,” Mhona said.
The financial impact of road accidents is substantial, with the $400 million annual loss encompassing various aspects such as fatalities, injuries, hospitalizations, and the economic burden on victims’ families. This significant loss underscores the urgent need for effective interventions to improve road safety.
The announcement has sparked a range of reactions from the public and stakeholders. Many are calling for immediate and stringent measures to ensure road safety and reduce the economic burden caused by accidents. Road safety advocates have long argued that stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and better infrastructure are crucial to tackling the issue.
The Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation has condemned the violence and recklessness associated with unregulated transport operators. “We do not support violence or touting. Operators must not pile buses on oversubscribed routes. We appeal for government intervention. Permits must not be issued before an assessment has been done,” said Samson Nhanhanga, the chairperson of the organization.
With the government’s renewed focus on road safety and the implementation of advanced monitoring systems, there is hope that the rate of road accidents will decline. The collaboration between various government departments, law enforcement, and the public is crucial in creating a safer environment for all road users.
The significant human and economic toll of road accidents in Zimbabwe calls for urgent and comprehensive measures. The government’s commitment to enhancing road safety through stricter enforcement, public awareness programs, and advanced monitoring technologies is a step in the right direction. However, continuous efforts and cooperation from all stakeholders are essential to achieving a substantial reduction in road accidents and ensuring the safety of all Zimbabweans.
Source: Newsday
