Make safety your resolve

Rumbidzai Tawanda
AS the curtain came down on 2013 on Tuesday, many took the time to reflect on the year that we were bidding farewell to. 2013 was quite eventful, marked by its fair share of highs and lows. It will go down the history books as the year in which the country adopted a new home-brewed constitution before holding peaceful elections which ended the tenure of the inclusive government. It will also be remembered as the year that we successfully co-hosted the momentous 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly with Zambia.

There was not much joy on the economic front though, with the liquidity crunch threatening to put a damper on the traditional Christmas cheer.

Albeit a somewhat lukewarm end to the year, Zimbabweans should be applauded for heeding the call for safety on the roads during the festive season.

In years gone by, the festive season was usually marred by extremely high numbers of road accidents, yet thankfully this was not to be the case this time around.

Media reports indicate that by December 29 2013, the number of deaths caused by road traffic accidents in the country since the onset of the holiday season had declined from 135 in 2012 to 75.

Police had recorded 822 accidents compared to 2012’s 918, while the number of those injured declined from 623 to 412.

Most of the accidents were attributed to speeding and human error among other factors.

The decline in road accidents came as a result of the collective efforts by various stakeholders including the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and organisations such as Mimosa Mining Company.

Fully fledged safety awareness campaigns were conducted to conscientise drivers on the dangers of over speeding and overloading, while the police stepped up their vigilance by setting up 24-hour roadblocks. Authorities also impounded defective vehicles.

The interventions proved to be exactly what the doctor prescribed.

Road users’ conduct during the festive season is testimony that achieving zero accidents is not a distant dream, but a reality that can be jointly realised. Long after intense festive season road campaigns are gone and the police let down its guard by reducing road blocks, the onus is on every individual to strive for safety. As a nation that has come of age, we need not wait to be reminded to observe traffic regulations by law enforcement; rather we ought to look out to practice high levels of self discipline. That is the only way we can put an end to the unnecessary deaths on our roads.

As we usher in a new year, we can only hope for a better year, punctuated by the growth of the economy and less road carnage. We are urged to make Zero Harm our resolve for 2014. Together we can make it a reality by caring for one another’s welfare. Safety is a team effort; no one can achieve it alone.

In all our goings in and comings out, Let’s Go Zero. After all, Zero Harm is Possible.

Here is to a prosperous 2014.