By Bright Zhou
Officer Commanding Masvingo Province Commissioner Chrispen Charumbira has warned errant drivers who do not obey traffic rules and regulations which are meant to safeguard lives saying Traffic Police will be at work full time to prevent road accidents during Easter holidays.
“We urge drivers to value safety precautions, especially during Easter holidays and Road Traffic Police officers will be working tightly to make sure that road regulations are being followed in a bid to fight against road traffic accidents,” said Charumbira.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Regional Manager Ester Kashangura warned drivers to be on the lookout for animals crossing roads, especially donkeys.
“We urge drivers to be aware of animals that randomly cross roads from both sides, especially donkeys. The responsible ministry is constructing new roads so that motorists will travel safely to reduce road traffic accidents.
“We are working hand in glove with ZRP to arrest people who drink alcohol and drive, because most drivers who get involved in accidents during this period will be drinking alcohol, losing control of their vehicles,” said Kashangura.
During the same period in 2022, 73 people died while 202 were injured in 264 road traffic accidents recorded.
Last year (2023) 30 people died while 153 others were injured in 288 road traffic accidents that were recorded during the Easter period and out of 288 road accidents 16 were fatal.
The number of deaths decreased last year, but there was an increase in road accidents compared to 2022.
Masvingo motorists told ZRP however that potholes were one of the major causes of road accidents.
Dickson Madhende who is a kombi driver said roads were pothole infested and they resorted to swerving to road edges and by so doing, tires burst. Sometimes they fail to negotiate the road and fail to control the vehicles leading to accidents.
“Most accidents are being caused by potholes; drivers will try to avoid them and they end up being stranded on road edges which damage tyres; sometimes they fail to navigate the potholes and lose control,” said Madhende.
This was supported by a bus driver who refused to be named and said he was lucky to be alive after he hit a pothole the bus’ suspension was heavily damaged, with three tires bursting in the process.
