Online Reporter
Disability Issues
Dr Christine Peta
EVERY year, millions of people around the world are injured in road traffic accidents.
While headlines often focus on fatalities, a quieter crisis unfolds in the aftermath: the permanent disabilities that survivors must endure.
In Zimbabwe, as in many other low- and middle-income countries, the intersection of road traffic injuries and disability reveals a complex web of medical, social and economic challenges that demand urgent attention.
Today, November 16, Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death globally among people aged five to 29.
The burden falls disproportionately on pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Yet for every death, there are dozens who survive with life-altering injuries — spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations and severe orthopaedic trauma — conditions that often result in permanent disability.
For many survivors, the journey from injury to disability is not only physical but also deeply social and economic.
Kurauone, a 40-year-old former commuter omnibus driver who lost both legs in a head-on collision near Chitungwiza, said:
“I was the breadwinner in my family. Now I cannot drive, walk or work as a driver like I used to and I am struggling to support my family.”
Many survivors with disabilities are unable to return to their previous employment.
In fact, over 60 percent do not resume their former jobs. They face stigma, limited mobility and a lack of vocational retraining options. They are trapped in a cycle of poverty and exclusion that can last a lifetime.
What then must we do?
Developing diverse strategies to prevent road traffic accidents is essential — not only to reduce disabilities but also to protect livelihoods and promote inclusive public health and safety.
Road safety campaigns must robustly address the long-term consequences of crashes.
Disability inclusion should not be an afterthought in urban planning and public transport design — it must be a priority.
While healing broken bones is important, restoring dignity and independence for those who acquire disabilities due to road traffic accidents is equally vital.
WHO’s Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030) emphasises the need for post-crash care and rehabilitation. But without practical implementation strategies, these goals are at risk of remaining aspirational.
Addressing the intersection of disability and road traffic injuries requires a multi-pronged approach:
- Strengthen emergency response systems to reduce the severity of injuries and disabilities.
- Expand rehabilitation services and ensure they are accessible and affordable.
- Integrate disability inclusion into road safety, transport and urban planning policies.
- Support survivors with vocational training, psychosocial care and legal protections.
As we commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, let us remember that the intersection of disability and road traffic accidents is not just a personal tragedy — it is a societal loss.
The emptiness left behind after someone is killed or severely injured on the road is powerfully conveyed through scenes of an empty stage, a deserted sports field or a quiet room — spaces where their presence is deeply missed and their absence painfully felt.
We must join hands to prevent road traffic accidents and support survivors who acquire disabilities. In doing so, we preserve their contributions as workers, parents, innovators and citizens.
Yes, we must count the dead. But we must also care for the living.
That means investing in emergency response systems, expanding access to rehabilitation and building inclusive environments that empower survivors with disabilities to thrive.
When disability does occur, dignity, inclusion and opportunity must follow.
Dr Christine Peta is a disability, public health, policy, international development and research expert. She can be contacted on: [email protected]
