Bus drivers’ age limit proposal sparks debate

Dr Samson Nhanhanga

THE proposal by Government to raise the minimum age for bus and kombi drivers from 25 years to 30 has been met with mixed reactions from the general public.

By increasing the minimum age, authorities hope to tackle the rising number of traffic accidents and fatalities, largely attributed to reckless driving, by ensuring that only mature and experienced drivers are behind the wheel of public service vehicles (PSVs).

This move comes as the country grapples with over 2 000 road traffic accidents-related deaths annually, with negligent driving being the leading cause.

There has been a general feeling that drivers aged 25 years and below are too young and inexperienced to drive PSVs. Within the Sadc region, the minimum age is 30 years for PSVs.

In Zimbabwe, one must have been driving for a cumulative period of 10 years.

In separate interviews, public transporters said Government’s proposal to increase the minimum age for driving Public Service Vehicles to 30 years was a welcome move.

Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation (ZPTO) president, Dr Samson Nhanhanga said they were fully behind the proposal by the Government as they were equally concerned with the continued loss of lives on the country’s roads.

“We believe a vehicle such as a bus needs a mature person to drive not these reckless youngsters. They easily get excited and sometimes even indulge in drugs and other illegal substances although this is not to say a person aged 30 years can’t do that,” he said.

“The other challenge that we are facing as an organisation is the issue of errant drivers hence we support the proposal by the Government for an increase in the minimum age.”

Dr Nhanhanga urged the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) to be visible on the country’s roads to monitor traffic.

“In terms of the speed monitoring device, I can safely say we are 99 percent compliant, but our challenge is on the speed limiting device. It’s a bit lagging in terms of its compatibility with most of our buses as we have had concerns from members that it affects the bus’ braking system,” he said.

Transport Operators Association of Zimbabwe (TOAZ) chief executive officer, Mr Wilfred Ramwi said: “We were already compliant with those requirements, and remember we are into goods transportation industry and our trucks regularly cross borders to other countries and as such there is need to constantly check on them.”

A former traffic police officer who requested anonymity said while the Government may increase the age limit, there is also a need to tighten traffic rules and regulations and enhance monitoring mechanisms.

“In my view, enforcement is very weak mainly as a result of incapacitation in terms of gadgets like speed traps, breathalysers and speed monitoring machines. We also cannot rule out the issue of corruption by the enforcers themselves because we have had accidents due to a defective vehicle occurring just a few kilometres after passing through a roadblock,” he said.

The retired police officer said many accidents can be attributed to speeding, overloading, and disregard for traffic laws. Speaking recently during the Question and Answer session in the Senate, Transport and

Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona said his ministry was trying to see how it could synchronise the age limit of those who would drive public service vehicles.

He also said there were plans to deploy Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) on streets to boost surveillance and introduce automated ticketing systems to minimise human involvement as it aims to establish a more secure and effective road safety management system.

According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, a road accident occurs in Zimbabwe every 15 minutes, with at least 150 people dying every month.

On Sunday afternoon, one learner from Falcon College died on the spot when their school bus driver lost control of the bus at the 34km peg along Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road leading to it overturning and injuring several other learners who were coming from a rugby match against St Georges in Harare.

During the same week, eight Anglican Church pilgrims who were travelling from Bernard Mizeki shrine in Marondera on a Pashion Link died after their bus was burnt.