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Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Reporter
AS the norm, virtually all of the country’s populace is bracing itself to party and be merry during the festive season.
Often, huge is the euphoria during this period but so too is the sorrow as in some cases all this joy has been replaced with mourning and heartaches.
The excitement is not only confined to homes or at various outings but the daring ones “go the extra mile” to get thrills for themselves while driving and it is during these “thrill rides” that many lives have been lost.
Excitement is sometimes a distraction when driving just like eating, grooming, talking, texting, stress or emotional driving. Over and above all of these emotions, these thrill seekers turn into reckless drivers or succumb to human error, a situation that contributes most of the country’s road traffic accidents.
Distracted driving is anything that takes the driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off of driving safely.
According to a research paper, Critical Analysis Of The Road Traffic Crashes In Zimbabwe — a reflection of the 2016 road traffic collision statistics by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), 94 percent of all the recorded accidents during that year were a result of human error.
TSCZ information, communication and technical manager Mr Tatenda Chinoda said over excitement by road users has often led to fatal accidents.
“Over excitement affects drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians in the same way. It becomes a distraction just like the other distracters like use of ICT (Information Communication Technology) gadgets while using the road,” he said.
Mr Chinoda said drivers are not entirely to blame for the accidents as there are sometimes persistently persuaded to speed or do various stunts by jovial or overzealous passengers.
“Passengers tend to be negligent as well to the extent of urging drivers to speed up, have a drink of the alcohol and even cross a flooded river or bridge,” he said.
The festive season is characterised by hefty bonuses, leave from work, families coming together, gifts, bright lights, decorated trees, loud music, new clothes, careless drinking and eating, travelling, partying and so on. Sadly, it is also the time when there is an increase in carnage on our roads.
“December is the annual festive month during which the greatest number of people plan to take their annual trips back home.
“This period does not only have the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays but it also coincides with annual company shut downs.
“An increase in disposable income after the traditional bonus pay outs in the preceding month of November could also explain increase in road traffic activity during the month of December.
“Such an increase in the road traffic activity means high risk of road traffic collisions,” says TSCZ.
It is also during this period whereby some overzealous youths take part in activities such as drag racing and skidding competitions on the streets that endanger their lives and that of unsuspecting individuals going about their own business.
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles (usually specially prepared for the purpose) compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line.
A festive season crashes overview from 2013-2016 by the Zimbabwe Republic Police National Traffic Branch reveals that there has been a marked increase in crashes, fatalities, deaths and injuries in the country’s roads.
In 2013 a total of 1 766 crashes were recorded with 2 055 being recorded in 2016.
The number of fatalities recorded in 2013 was 100 while in 2016 the figure rose to 199. The death total for 2013 was 129 against 140 in 2016. The number of people injured in the road accidents in 2013 was 884 while in 2016 the number of the injured was 921.
However, it is of paramount importance to note that there was a nominal decrease in road accidents, injuries and deaths last year compared to 2015. In 2015 the recorded crashes were 2 443 with 2016 witnessing 2055, a decrease of 388.
Fatalities were pegged at 133 in 2015 and in 2016 the figure decreased to 119, a paltry difference of 14.
The number of deaths recorded in 2015 was 184 against 140 in 2016, a slump by 44 and lastly the total injuries recorded in 2015 was 1122 against 921 which were reported in 2016, a difference of 201.
Bulawayo Fire Brigade chief fire officer Mr Richard Peterson said most road accidents that occur during the festive season are a result of over indulgence in alcohol by motorists.
“The advice I want to give to motorists as we approach the festive season is that safety is important in preserving precious lives and those who take one or two alcoholic beverages should hand over driving responsibilities to someone who is sober . . . especially those travelling long distances,” said Mr. Peterson.
He said it was of paramount importance for motorists to observe traffic regulations.
“Motorists should also observe road traffic regulations and since we are approaching the rainy season safety is important because the roads would be wet and normally our roads are full of oils and they become slippery making it difficult to control vehicles in motion.
This is directed especially to public transport. It’s very critical for them to take note that they are carrying lives, lives that are priceless and cannot be replaced,” said Mr Peterson.
As part of its efforts to curb road accident during the festive season, TSCZ carries out a number of safety awareness campaigns through various forms of media.
“Since in Zimbabwe an accident occurs after every 15 minutes and every day about five people are killed on our roads and 38 others are injured, TSCZ, as a lead road safety agency, carries out road safety awareness campaigns everyday through accelerated mass media campaigns, social media and digital campaigns,” said Mr Chinoda.
TSCZ’s road safety awareness campaigns also include road shows, celebrity endorsements, road safety education in schools and churches, road safety theatre galas targeting rural areas, training of village heads, headmen, and chiefs to become road safety champions as well as training in defensive driving.
“We carry out shows and exhibitions throughout the country especially at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and Agricultural Shows among others and we train junior parliament to be road safety ambassadors.
“For this festive season, we shall deploy 20 teams along our main highways to carry out educational road safety road block campaigns from the 11th of December 2017 to the 5th of January 2018,” said Mr Chinoda.
@DNsingo
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