Online Reporter
Calvin Munashe Masunda
IT is out of deep love for my country and serious concern for its people that I take time from a demanding schedule to pen this message.
This is more than just an article — it is a heartfelt appeal.
It is a call to every pedestrian, motorist and policymaker to pause and reflect on a growing danger that threatens the very fabric of our society.
I write this not as a distant observer, but as a motorist who has witnessed a disturbing shift in pedestrian behaviour.
I have watched individuals cross busy roads while glued to their phones.
It seems many pedestrians are no longer afraid of cars.
This is not just a behavioural quirk; it is a silent, creeping crisis that unfolds on our roads every day.
When pedestrians jaywalk, they gamble with their lives.
When we lose a life on our roads, we lose human capital. We lose a teacher, a nurse, a builder, a thinker, a dreamer.
In a developing nation, every citizen is a vital thread in the tapestry of progress.
One life lost is one too many.
When a life is cut short, families and communities are shattered.
The nation also bleeds silently.
Perhaps the root of this problem lies in familiarity.
We must remember that a moving vehicle is a machine of mass and momentum.
Also, today’s vehicles are sleek, silent and sophisticated — the roar of an engine, once a natural warning signal, has been replaced by a whisper.
Electric cars glide; hybrid engines hum softly.
Noise-reduction technology is a marvel of engineering, but it is also a new hazard.
We can no longer rely solely on our ears to detect danger.
The auditory cues that once alerted us to approaching vehicles are fading.
Pedestrians must be twice as alert.
The car you do not hear might be the one that changes everything.
Safety is not a luxury — it is a necessity.
It is a discipline and a culture we must cultivate and pass on to future generations.
Let us teach our children to respect the road and model caution in our own behaviour.
We must also demand visible crosswalks, timed traffic lights and protective signage.
Motorists and pedestrians alike must work together to build a culture of mutual respect and vigilance.
We must also address the role of urban planning and policy.
Our cities must be designed with pedestrian safety in mind: Sidewalks must be wide, crosswalks accessible and traffic signals timed correctly.
Enforcement must be strict, addressing jaywalking and reckless driving not just with fines, but also with education.
Technology can help, but it cannot replace awareness.
No app, sensor or innovation can substitute human judgement.
We must remain vigilant.
Let this article be a mirror to reflect our habits and our responsibilities.
Let it spark conversations in homes, schools and workplaces.
When we protect life, we protect the future. When we walk with caution, we walk with purpose.
And when we drive with care, we drive with love.
Let this be the beginning of a movement to raise awareness and responsibility.
Let us build a nation where safety is second nature, and vigilance a virtue. It should be a country where every citizen walks and drives with dignity.
This is my plea. This is my promise. It is my contribution to the country I love.
Calvin Munashe Masunda is an Upper Six Arts learner at Zengeza 1 High School. He is a budding writer who can be contacted on +263719042211 or Facebook.
