Chronicle EditorSikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
BULAWAYO province recorded four deaths and 68 injuries from 210 road traffic accidents recorded between December 15 and December 27 last year.
The figure represents 4,3 percent of the number of people who died countrywide during the same period. Nationally, 92 people died from a total of 1 195 accidents.
In the same period in 2022, 133 road traffic accidents were recorded with 12 fatal, 20 deaths and 48 people injured.
This was revealed during a recent Bulawayo provincial traffic awareness campaign dubbed “stakeholders’ meet the motorists” campaign led by the Officer Commanding Bulawayo Province, Commissioner Wiklef Makamache along Bulawayo-Gwanda road recently.
Comm Makamache was accompanied by the Bulawayo City Council senior traffic officer Mr Ndumiso Ndlovu, Bulawayo Fire Brigade’s senior division officer for operations, Mr Mhlangene Moyo, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) southern region manager Ms Barbra Mpofu and the provincial chief vehicle inspector for Bulawayo Mr Adon Silempa.
During the campaign, the team distributed fliers to motorists, which contained information on safe driving.
“To reduce the number and severity of road traffic accidents, every driver must avoid speeding as it thrills but also kills, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, following too close to motor vehicle ahead and overtaking errors and driving under emotions,” read the message on the fliers.
On December 23, a local businessman Mr Mandlenkosi Dube who was speeding, deliberately crashed his vehicle against an oncoming bus soon after strangling his girlfriend following a row over infidelity and money.
The fliers also urged drivers to avoid driving under emotions, driving defective motor vehicles, continuous driving for more than 200km without resting, distractions such as use of cellphones, earphones or headphones as well as overloading and use of light-emitting diode (LED) lights or bar lights which cause dazzling.
Deputy Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the engagement with the motorists was a success.
She said the motorists showed the zeal to travel and arrive alive by adhering to traffic rules and regulations.
“We met motorists who were driving into and out of Bulawayo. During their journey they are likely to encounter a lot of obstacles such as flooded rivers and we were advising them not to risk crossing flooded rivers,” she said.
“We also encouraged them not to travel at night and to always exercise extreme caution while behind the wheel.
Asst Insp Msebele urged road users to adhere to the traffic rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
“It is paramount to note that there are several factors one should consider before using a motor vehicle on any road. Factors include the road worthiness of the vehicle, the preparedness of the driver, the road condition, the weather condition among other host of factors,” she said.
“These factors have to be seriously considered by all road users such that passenger safety, pedestrian safety as well as the motoring public’s safety is assured. It is vital for all road users to note that causes of road traffic accidents could be attributed to human error or mechanical fault.”
According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, 90 percent of known causes of road traffic accidents are due to human error thereby leaving out a small percentage to other known causes such as mechanical fault.
Online Reporter