malvernmugadzikwa
Emmanuel Kafe
THE country is paying a heavy price for the irresponsible behaviour of public and private vehicle drivers — a price paid in blood.
A day barely passes without grim statistics: approximately five people lose their lives on the country’s roads.
Behind these numbers are cherished individuals — a mother, a father, a brother or a sister — whose absence leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of their loved ones.
Tragically, the headlines often blur into one another, with images of devastation becoming all too familiar.
Recently, the Christian community mourned Father Frederick Mabiri, a beloved Catholic priest known for his prolific compositions. He died in a head-on collision on the Chinhoyi-Chegutu road — a reminder that even those dedicated to uplifting others are not immune to the perilous reality of the country’s roads.
A few days back, Dr Christine Lamini, a respected lecturer at Solusi University, and her cousin lost their lives in a similar accident on the Kwekwe-Gweru highway.
As we moved towards the end of September, there was the burial of Air Commodore Peter Zimondi, who succumbed to injuries sustained in yet another road traffic incident.
Crisis
Road traffic accidents in Zimbabwe are said to occur every 15 minutes, with at least 150 people dying every month.
The authorities attribute the problem to lax driver training, inadequate licensing procedures and insufficient law enforcement.
According to the police, over 2 000 hit-and-run incidents were reported last year, resulting in numerous deaths, including those of schoolchildren.
The situation in 2024 has been worrying, with 34 719 road traffic accidents recorded in the first eight months alone. This figure is part of a broader total of about 85 000 reported accidents, of various forms, which have collectively claimed the lives of 1 352 individuals.
In addition to the fatalities, 6 514 people have suffered injuries during the same period, further underscoring the urgent need for a change in driving behaviour.
Speaking during a road safety campaign and conference organised by The Sunday Mail recently, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi called for urgent self-reflection among Zimbabwean drivers.
His statements came following troubling statistics; a huge increase in the number of accidents and fatalities, mostly caused by misbehaviour by some drivers on the country’s roads.
He said the road carnage in the country reflects the driving attitudes of most motorists and mirrors how they behave.
“People are behaving as if there is no tomorrow, as if the world is ending today. As Zimbabweans, we must engage in self-reflection. What kind of driving culture do we want for our country?
“Every week, the police document a portion of the road traffic incidents. It is high time we take action. If that means revoking licences, so be it. If it means sending people to jail, then that must happen.
“Only then will people understand that driving is a collective responsibility; it is not just about getting behind the wheel. People need to change their attitudes and cultivate a proper driving culture,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), the country has experienced a worrying trend of road accidents over the years.
In 2015, there were 45 701 accidents, resulting in 2 368 fatalities and 12 399 injuries. The following year saw a slight increase in the number of accidents (46 681), with 1 584 deaths and 11 605 injuries.
In 2017, 1 793 lives were lost in 46 687 traffic accidents, with 10 461 people injured.
The situation worsened in 2018, with 58 739 accidents resulting in 1 918 fatalities and 12 487 injuries. However, there was a decline in the number of accidents in 2019 (45,928), with 1 495 deaths and 8 904 injuries.
In 2020, Zimbabwe recorded 35 560 accidents, 1 520 deaths and 6 920 injuries.
The number of accidents increased in 2021 (45,791), with 1 902 deaths and 8 711 injuries.
In 2022, over 2 067 people lost their lives in 51 107 road accidents, with 10 401 injuries.
As of the first nine months of 2023, over 1 500 fatalities were recorded from more than 38 400 accidents nationwide.
TSCZ managing director Munesu Munodawafa said an average of 4 250 accidents occur every month. Zimbabwe, he added, loses millions of dollars annually in costs related to road traffic accidents.
“The numbers are very disturbing; statistics show that the highest casualties of road traffic accidents are aged between 25 years and 45 years. The cost of accidents in Zimbabwe is about US$406 million every year,” he said.
Root cause
Experts believe the root of the problem lies in lax driver training, inadequate licensing procedures and insufficient law enforcement.
For example, Harare’s streets have become a high-stakes game of chance, where pirate taxis, also known as mushikashika, and commuter omnibuses speed through the city centre with impunity.
These rogue drivers flout road rules, racing through red lights and weaving through congested streets with alarming regularity.
They transform city streets into a chaotic free-for-all.
Behind the wheel, many drivers are fuelled by more than just adrenaline — intoxicating substances cloud their judgement, further endangering passengers and pedestrians alike.
The pressure to meet targets set by the vehicle owners drives them to push speeds to perilous limits, transforming everyday commutes into potentially deadly journeys.
Compounding the problem, the majority of these drivers lack valid licences; they operate with brazen disregard for the law.
But drivers are not the only culprits.
Jaywalking pedestrians, oblivious of traffic lights and designated crossing places, dart into intersections, increasing chances of accidents.
The lethal mix of speeding drivers and careless pedestrians has turned Harare and elsewhere across the country into a ticking time bomb.
The danger is also increased when the authorities engage in high-speed chases with either commuter omnibus or mushikashika drivers in the Central Business District, putting the lives of other road users at risk.
Experts also opine that some driving school instructors now prioritise money ahead of professionalism. Several aspiring drivers bribe their way through lessons, including the actual road test.
Resultantly, many of these drivers who cut corners often struggle to interpret or observe basic road signs and regulations.
Some of the driving school instructors do not behave exemplarily on the roads as they blatantly disregard regulations in marked vehicles.
Roadblocks
Unsanctioned roadblocks by police officers, ostensibly stationed to control traffic, have become hotspots for bribery and extortion.
Instead of directing traffic flow and, at times, enforcing traffic regulations, some of the rogue officers often end up soliciting bribes from drivers, further exacerbating the chaos.
Pirate taxis, desperate to avoid corrupt checkpoints, divert routes and speed, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
The resulting mayhem has left residents on edge, wondering when the next tragedy will strike.
Case studies
The United Arab Emirates and China have successfully implemented smart traffic management systems, significantly reducing road accidents and congestion in their bustling cities.
Dubai’s intelligent transportation system integrates traffic sensors and cameras, real-time data analytics, dynamic traffic signalling and mobile apps for commuters.
This synergy enables optimised traffic flow, reducing congestion by 20 percent. Additionally, it results in enhanced pedestrian safety and efficient emergency response.
Similarly, China’s artificial intelligence-powered traffic management utilises facial recognition technology, number plate recognition, real-time traffic monitoring and predictive analytics.
This innovative approach identifies potential accidents before they occur, adjusts traffic signals dynamically, enhances enforcement through automated fines and streamlines traffic flow, reducing congestion by 30 percent.
Zimbabwe plans to replicate this success by collaborating with international experts, investing in infrastructure such as sensors, cameras and fibre optics, developing integrated traffic management software, training personnel in artificial intelligence and data analytics, and implementing public awareness campaigns.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said a smart traffic management project to address the ever-rising number of road traffic accidents and violation of regulations is in the pipeline and will soon be deployed across the country.
“The system leverages advanced technologies to optimise traffic flow, enhance safety and improve overall efficiency in transportation networks.
“It integrates various sensors, cameras, data analytics and communication systems to monitor, control and manage traffic in real time.
“It enhances monitoring by closely monitoring traffic behaviour, helping to catch and detect traffic offences, like speeding, running red lights and illegal parking,” he said.
Veteran driving instructor Tatenda Dhege notes the loss of lives due to reckless driving is a national tragedy.
He said it is high time for all the stakeholders — including the Government, law-enforcement agencies, driver training schools and the public — to come together to address this issue.
“There is a need for determined enforcement of traffic laws on all the roads and a national road safety consciousness is imperative.
“A national road safety policy and a national safety call centre are also needed to address the issue of road traffic accidents.”
Online Reporter