adminDRIVING in the Harare Central Business District (CBD) can be a nightmare during peak hours.
It requires one to be on high alert, firm and vigilant as some motorists have become a nuisance.
Recklessness has led to the loss of human life and permanent injuries to some of the lucky accident survivors.
Drivers of commuter omnibuses and pirate taxis are the worst traffic rules violators.
This is despite the fact that they will be carrying passengers.
The same passengers are to blame as well as they remain silent when they are being driven by heartless individuals.
It’s also sad to note that we also have certified drivers who don’t respect the sanctity of life.
The negligence is quite shocking.
The increase in the number of motorists disregarding traffic rules is also shocking despite campaigns being made by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.
In today’s issue, we are carrying a story involving a Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) bus driver who was arrested on Saturday for driving against one way instructions.
The 29-year-old was caught driving against one-way traffic along Rotten Row Road with passengers on board.
It is reported that the passengers warned him about his wayward driving but he would not listen.
His arrest should be a warning to fellow drivers violating traffic rules.
Such cases are common during the festive season when people get excited.
Excitement should never be the licence for one to be caught on the wrong side of the law.
We all have a role to play to ensure that traffic offenders are exposed.
The Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) should intensify their operations and cancel licences in the hands of rogue drivers. These joint operations, between the VID and the police, should be conducted throughout the year.
The city fathers should also erect more cameras on road intersections and record all motorists violating traffic rules.
Loss of life should never be allowed to continue happening as a result of human error.
The surge in deaths from accidents should be tamed by exercising caution on the roads.
Drivers should learn to exercise caution on the roads to avoid this loss of life. Those convicted of violating traffic rules should be slapped with life bans from driving.
By imposing stiff penalties on traffic offenders we can send a serious message to those who are usually caught offside.
Drivers should also consider the life of passengers on board.
Losing a breadwinner to death is never an easy thing to take since it affects people who depended on them.
In life we should always be considerate and respectful to each other.
Unlicensed drivers should never be allowed behind the wheels until they get certified to drive.
We need to jail those who flout the rules. There is a reason those rules were crafted in the first place.
We cannot let our capital city turn into a traffic jungle when we know we have the capacity to tame the monsters.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter