Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Reporter
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is concerned about the increase in the number of incidents of motorists that ignore traffic regulations when approaching railway level crossings resulting in injuries to drivers and passengers.
In some cases, people have lost their lives when vehicles are hit by trains at railway level crossings.
The latest warning from NRZ comes in the wake of a recent accident when a vehicle was hit by a train in Ruwa, Mashonaland East Province, after the driver ignored an approaching train.
“The NRZ is concerned that some motorists continue to ignore traffic regulations when approaching level crossings. In yet another level cross accident, a pick-up truck was hit by a train at the Ruwa Level Crossing point on Monday after the driver ignored an approaching train. Fortunately there were no injuries.
“The NRZ urges drivers to check for trains when approaching level crossings and stop when they see one. Never try to beat a train to the level crossing,” warned the NRZ in a statement.
Last year, a Bulawayo mother driving her three kids to school survived when her Mercedes Benz was hit by a train at a rail crossing in Mahatshula North.
In yet another incident at the same railway level crossing, a commuter omnibus was hit by a train injuring three schoolchildren when the driver tried to overtake two vehicles before colliding with an NRZ-owned locomotive.
The injured schoolchildren were ferried to a local hospital for medical attention with minor injuries before being discharged hours later.
