adminIn one of my articles on this column, I dealt with the idea that road safety is everyone’s responsibility and hence, everyone ought to play their part. In this article am focusing on the role of the media in taming the traffic jungle in Zimbabwe.
The media, indeed, have a role to play in as far as taming the traffic jungle in Zimbabwe is concerned. The jungle behaviour of some road users, the pot holes on our roads, the road crashes, traffic congestion and the rot associated with enforcement of traffic laws have to be reported in order to inform the public. Above all, this reporting helps alert responsible authorities to review existing and formulate new road safety laws and policies. Constant knocking sharpens the rock.
Repeated mass media road safety reportage will surely see Zimbabwe gaining milestones in promoting road safety and continuously reducing deaths, injury and property damage caused by road traffic crashes. As such, I would like to appeal to the editorial policies of various media houses to include unpaid reportage for road safety issue. This will undoubtedly go a long way in sharpening the road safety behaviour of the generality of our road users as well as cultivating a sustainable road safety culture.
Zimbabweans this time are generally delighted that the just ended festive season recorded a significant drop in road deaths as compared to the same period last season. Credit never goes to one organisation or a selected group of organisations.
Every Zimbabwean road user must walk tall and shoulder high for playing their part in taming the traffic jungle. Indeed, road safety is everyone’s responsibility, it is time road safety spectators play their part and become road safety actors.
As a sure sign of appreciation of the role of the media in taming the traffic jungle in Zimbabwe, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe shall be holding an inaugural Road Safety Journalistic Awards ceremony on the 31st of January 2014 at a local hotel.
The overall aim of the Road Safety Reporter Awards is to enhance an in-depth appreciation of the critical role of the media in taming the traffic jungle in Zimbabwe and hence contribute towards continuous reduction of deaths, injuries and loss of property due to road traffic accidents.
The main objectives are to:
Reward excellence in road safety reporting;
To inculcate continuous, objective, responsible, diligent and investigative reporting on road safety issues;
To raise public awareness on road safety issues through mass media campaigns and reports;
To create a platform to enlighten Zimbabweans about the burden of road carnage;
To lobby for favourable media placement of road safety issues; and
To motivate individuals, the public and private sectors in Zimbabwe to participate in road safety activities in order to tame the traffic jungle.
Those media practitioners interested in participating in this contest must be guided by the following information.
ROAD SAFETY JOURNALISTIC AWARDS (RSJA) CATEGORIES
Consideration will only be given to Road safety reportage done from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013. Clearly indicate the category you are entering for the competition on the envelope.
The envelope must be sealed and addressed to the Personal Assistant, Traffic Safety Council Of Zimbabwe, No 4 Park Street, Harare.
Application forms can be obtained freely from any Traffic Safety Council Of Zimbabwe Office near you.
The writer, Tatenda Chinoda is a Traffic Safety Officer — Marketing and seasoned defensive driving instructor. He can be contacted on [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]> ; cell: 0772 966 075 or phone 04 – 751208.
Online Reporter