Wenslus Murape
Commuters associations have called upon authorities to enforce stricter laws against motorists who are driving recklessly and causing accidents, especially on the newly rehabilitated Nemakonde Way (formerly Lomagundi) and Sam Nujoma (Second Street extension).
The calls come at a time when commuters are also calling for the removal and ban of commuter omnibuses and mushikashika from the road.
Kombi drivers and mushikashika drivers are being blamed for most of the reckless driving that is taking place on the roads.
Long distance buses plying the Harare-Mt Darwin route have also been notorious for operating from undesignated ranks in the Avenues area, blocking traffic, and then speeding on the recently dualised Sam Nujoma Extension.
According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), 94 percent of road crashes recorded in Zimbabwe are caused by human error.
There have been calls to have kombis and mushikashikas removed from the roads completely as a way of reducing accidents and congestion on the roads.
However, kombi associations have said the removal of their vehicles will not help but rather drivers must adhere to road traffic laws and that strict penalties must be enforced.
Passengers Association of Zimbabwe national co-ordinator Tafadzwa Goliati, said the law should descend heavily on drivers and transport operators who are in the business of cutting corners.
“We urge the responsible Government agencies, like the Vehicle Inspections Department (VID) to intensify its operations to monitor vehicle road worthiness and the police is urged to also monitor road safety standards for vehicles,” he said.
Goliati identified alcohol abuse as one of the reasons for the negligent conduct being displayed by most drivers, especially those in the public transport sector.
“Most of them spend time imbibing these cheap spirits and wines which they disguise by putting in energy drinks containers,” he said.
“This is why they are increasingly engaging in these reckless tendencies such as driving towards oncoming vehicles.”
He outlined measures which the government and the police should adopt to lessen the scourge.
“I urge our government to buy breathalyser machines to gauge alcohol content in these drivers’ systems. This will ensure they stop over drinking at work,” Goliati said.
“On that same note, police must stop impartiality when enforcing laws against errant drivers, or better still offenders should have their licences confiscated. Most of them have no licences or have fake ones. They flout traffic laws yet they go scot-free.”
Goliati also condemned rampant corruption in the transport sector, adding that many offenders managed to evade penalties by bribing their way out.
“Our people are being packed like sardines in these overloaded vehicles. What is worse is that there’s no accountability when accidents happen. No one is held responsible,” he said.
Zimbabwe United Deregulated Commuter Operators (ZUDCO) president Mr Frederick Maguramhinga also expressed concern over an increase in road accidents.
“As a nation, we have experienced an increase in road traffic accidents. Both public transport and private motorists are to blame. Whilst we accept that some roads need reconstruction and signage, human errors have contributed much.
“Speeding, wrong overtaking, faulty vehicles, texting and driving, misjudgement and drugs and alcohol abuse are the major causes. All these human errors can be dealt with properly through Associations regulating themselves with the help of enforcement,” he said.
He said the small illegal pirate vehicles had also changed the roads into war zones because of their behaviour.
“They do not care about human life; they think about money only. Mushikashika vehicles are being left to do business without continuous serious monitoring and elimination. As associations, we need to focus on fighting road safety within the existing compliance framework.
“There is a need for more collaboration and action on agreed resolutions on tackling road carnage. This must be between enforcement and associations. The public must also take seriously the need to fight road carnage,” Maguramhinga said.
Maguramhinga said residents should call for the ban of mushikashika instead because they were the ones, which are not regulated.
Online Reporter