Branton Matondo
The year’s edition of Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) Driving Competitions was yet another male dominated scene as female numbers were meagre, a feat that has been labeled retrogressive in the drive for road safety.
With TSCZ predicting that by 2030 road carnages will spike to 50 percent, women with class 2 drivers’ licenses have been urged to take part in bus and rigid trucks competitions as a way to curb the rising road accident tally.
One of the female winners at this year’s Manicaland Driver of the year competitions held at Fountain Creek representing Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Herbert Chitepo 3 Brigade, Violet Mvundura said even though she scooped the second gong in the rigid truck driving competition women participation should increase in these competitions as they impart necessary driving safety measures.
“It’s a happy feeling altogether to win in such a competition because l was calm when l was driving. I told myself there is nothing to panic about but just standing up and representing women all over. However, my advice to other women in Manicaland is to register and participate. Most women have class 2 driver’s licenses but when you look at this year’s competition l was the only one in the rigid truck competition. We should compete with men and shun the stereotype that women are not good drivers,” Mvundura said.
She added that road safety signs and directions should be followed and it should be a priority amid current high accidents records.
“I advise all drivers out there to prioritize safe driving, which means following all the road signs and directions. Over speeding is unwaranted. It’s better to be late than to be the late.
Meanwhile the rigid truck pool was dominated by ZNA which scooped two prizes; Steven Karira clinching the poll position (USD 500) with Violet Mvundura setting for second while Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Tobias Tangwena settled for third position.
In the bus category Jacob Mangwe from Africa University scooped the first position bagging USD 500.
