Chronicle Editor
STATISTICS released by Government on road traffic accidents make for disturbing reading.
They show an upward trend in road carnage with most accidents being blamed on human error.
The increase in the number of vehicles on the country’s roads has also contributed to accidents as most drivers are either unlicensed or obtained their driver’s licences using underhand/corrupt means.
On Friday, Government said more than 2 000 people died last year due to road traffic accidents countrywide, marking a nine percent increase in deaths compared to 2017.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said in 2018, 1 986 people died due to road accidents compared to 1 828 who perished in 2017.
He pleaded with the nation to join hands in reducing road carnage.
“Sadly, we continue to lose lives and limbs on our roads due to the preventable drivers’ conducts. Last year 2018, we recorded an increase in road traffic collisions from 42 950 in 2017 to 52 052 in 2018. Road traffic deaths also increased from 1 828 in 2017 to 1 986 in 2018. The number of people injured went up from 10 584 to 11 924,” said Cde Matiza.
“Deaths and injuries due to preventable road accidents are unacceptable. The sanctity of human life should be respected at all costs.” The Minister said it was worrying that human error causes 90 percent of the accidents. Cde Matiza said his Ministry is aware of alleged corruption in the procurement of licences but such allegations were difficult to prove.
“In analysing errors committed by most drivers, you wonder whether they are licensed to drive these vehicles. My Ministry will not hesitate to descend heavily on any culprits implicated in soliciting for bribes and giving bribes in order to obtain licences to drive vehicles in Zimbabwe.
“Such corruption must be condemned in the worst of terms. It’s very high risk,” said Cde Matiza. He said road traffic accidents have a negative impact on economies, particularly for developing countries as they were costing countries about two percent of their Gross Domestic Products annually.
“It’s shocking to learn that Africa with about 20 percent of the world total vehicle population accounts for 80 percent of total world road crashes. Road traffic collisions result in deaths, injuries, property damage and subsequent social and economic and physical suffering of innocent lives.
“The economic impact of road crashes is also a cause for concern. In low and middle income countries, the cost of road traffic injuries is estimated to be up to $100 billion per year. This is the money that could be spent on schools, hospitals for economic development,” he said.
We find the statistics released by the Government deeply worrying and call for concerted efforts to reduce carnage on the country’s roads.
What is equally disturbing is the revelation that 90 percent of accidents are caused by human error, pointing to the need for drivers to exercise caution on the roads.
Minister Matiza’s assertion in an article we published yesterday that Government was aware of alleged corruption in the procurement of driver’s licences is instructive.
He posits that while the practice is widespread, it was difficult to prove.
Indeed, corruption in the issuance of driver’s licences is endemic and we feel Government can do more to eradicate the evil practice.
Corruption is a two-way street and it is crucial that the campaign against this vice is targeted at both the Government officials charged with issuing licences and those who seek to obtain the licences.
Driving schools are also in on the scam as they act as middlemen connecting officials at VID and learner drivers.
Thus this whole chain needs to be broken if the fight against corruption is to be won.
Government should also consider retraining and reorienting VID officers, limiting their tenure in a particular station and dismissing and/or jailing those found engaging in corruption.
In the same vein, the law should come down hard on unlicensed drivers with custodial sentences meted out on those who cause accidents.
We are aware that Government has been working on refurbishing the country’s highways and other major roads.
This is commendable as it will reduce road traffic accidents.
We also call on the police to adopt a zero tolerance to corruption and ensure that their traffic details enforce the law without fear or favour.
Unroadworthy vehicles contribute a chunk of the traffic accidents on the country’s roads.
The police and VID have a duty to ensure that they are removed from our roads.
The rise in the road accident toll should spur everyone to fight to reduce carnage on Zimbabwe’s roads.
All hands should be on deck from drivers, law enforcement agents, Government, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and VID.
derick.khumalo