adminREPORTS of hit-and-run accidents continue to make sad reading with each passing day.
Our roads have become death traps as a result of negligent driving and total disregard of traffic rules by some road users.
Other motorists have become so heartless and reckless that they no longer respect the sanctity of life, when driving.
At least, cooperation during a road traffic accident is the best help fellow road users can give each other when accidents occur.
Whether it’s as a result of human error or mechanical fault, cooperation from both parties is needed.
In the past few months, we have lost celebrities like Bulawayo-based rapper Cal_Vin and others in hit –and-run accidents.
Some of these victims needed help, and could have survived, had such a helping hand been offered.
Stopping after causing or being involved in an accident remains one of the cardinal rules, which should be followed, as stipulated in the Highway Code.
In worst case scenarios, reckless motorists even leave their victims trapped under the wreckage of their vehicles and flee from the scene.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has since made the call for motorists to cooperate during accidents.
He also urged motorists to report such cases within 24 hours.
This follows a surge in road traffic accidents recorded both in Harare and Bulawayo last week.
The sad one was the High Glen Road accident in Harare where a man (54) died after police officers engaged in an unsanctioned act.
Criminal charges and disciplinary measures have since been filed against the rogue police officers.
However, unlicensed drivers are also to blame for most of the hit-and-run accidents.
While it is an offence to drive without a licence, it seems most people take it lightly.
This could be the reason why we have most cases of hit –and-run accidents, since unlicensed drivers will be trying to evade arrest and prosecution, which can attract jail terms.
It is high time traffic police tighten the screws on motorists driving without licences.
This new cancer needs urgent attention as the nation continues to lose lives due to recklessness.
As for those police officers mounting unsanctioned roadblocks, they deserve nothing but punishment.
This has soiled the image of the force.
It is high time that stakeholders in the transport sector along with law enforcement invest in technology to detect such monsters.
In this era of technology, it should never take us ages to detect such criminals, who continue to cause problems on the roads.
Once arrested, perpetrators should be severely punished.
A clear message should be sent to would-be offenders and lives will be saved.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter