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THERE can be no overstating the grief and trauma associated with the sudden death and or serious injury of loved ones.
Sadly, such tragedies, often caused by motor vehicle accidents, form an ongoing, devastating backdrop.
A fortnight ago, Zimbabweans reeled with the impact of news that 21 health workers died while 48 others were injured when a Matabeleland North Provincial Malaria Control vehicle they were travelling in failed to negotiate a curve and overturned before landing on its roof in Tsholotsho.
The accidenta��s death toll has reportedly risen to 23 and just to underline the frequency of such events, newspaper reports followedA� on Wednesday that 62 people cheated death when a Citiliner cross-border bus they were travelling in caught fire about 40 km along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road.
Evidence provided by the police and gleaned from simply watching happenings on Zimbabwean roads make it clear that recklessness is the source of many accidents.
Grief for friends, family and that stifling sense of tragedy now affecting the wider Zimbabwean society amounts to just part of the story.
Health specialists say hospital bills and other health-related costs as a result of road accidents amount to billions of dollars annually.
Add to that the incalculable loss when individuals with the potential to contribute much to their society die or become incapacitated.
Globally, there is an upsurge in the number of road traffic crashes as a result of national population growth and other demographic factors.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a total of 1,25million people die every year through road traffic fatalities worldwide.
There are many factors that account for motor traffic crashes.
Take Zimbabwe for example, more than 90% of road crashes are as a result of human errors such as speeding, poor driving skills, drunk-driving, reckless driving, and gross indiscipline.
Only, though, that Zimbabweans see similar behaviour on roads all over the country, all the time.
What is to be done to alter such behaviour?
Public education is an obvious answer and it seems fair to say that the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), the police, and other authorities have been working hard in that regard.
Other causes of road carnageA� are corruption, flouting road safety signs, lack of maintenance, broken down vehicles, fatigue driving, overloading, unworthy vehicles, bad roads, poor vision, and bad weather.
TSCZ deserves commendation for embarking on road safety campaign to educate the public ahead of the Christmas season in 2017.
As the society grows, matures and becomes more economically able, it seems reasonable to expect that road surveillance, including the use of remote technology, will make it easier to punish those who now breach road rules with impunity.
As is the case with violent crime and other forms of unlawful conduct, we expect that the probability of being caught and punished will lead to greater care by motorists and other road users.
However, when all is said and done, responsibility must rest with the people involved, both drivers and passengers alike.
Online Reporter