AS Zimbabwe gears up for the festive season, road carnage mainly as a result of the poor road network and human error, remains a cause for concern.
This dampens the spirit of the festive season, turning what is supposed to be a joyous period into a huge tragedy.
As motorists drive along the country's treacherous roads, they need to be conscious of the fact that they are carrying precious lives , so they need to exercise extreme caution.
According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), about five people die everyday on our roads, which translates to about 2 000 deaths per year.
Statistics show that at least 92 people died in road traffic accidents between December 15 and 25 last year, up from 72 during the same period in 2021.
This period covers the Unity Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day holidays, respectively.
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The numbers are too high by any margin.
Most of the accidents on our roads are a result of the poor road network and human error.
It’s not only motorists who are to blame for the accidents — pedestrians, cyclists, motorbike riders also contribute a lot.
Many a times we have seen pedestrians jaywalking on busy roads mindless of the risk they pose to themselves and other road users.
It’s everyone’s role to see to it that we reduce the number of accidents that occur on our roads.
In rural and farming areas, farmers should make sure they pen their livestock at night and ensure they don’t trespass into major highways.
The local authorities must also keep the roads well maintained and with clear markings.
Despite the economic hardships, let’s all strive to make the festive season a time of celebration by reducing the road carnage.
It can be done and we can all contribute to it.
Schools closed last week and many are already making their way to different destinations ahead of the festive season.
It’s a busy period on the roads.
Motorists can turn the tide and be the change we all yearn for.
Anyone who wishes to travel should, where possible, take to the road early and avoid night driving or speeding to cover up for lost time.
Avoid speeding, drinking and driving.
Any slip-up during the journey can have devastating consequences. Let us be patient on the roads.
We would rather be late than fail to reach our destinations.
Motorists should collectively pledge to drive responsibly and prioritise other road users' safety.
Government should deploy multi-stakeholder teams, including the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Vehicle Inspection Department officials, to conduct safety awareness campaigns to ensure sanity prevails on the roads.
Public transport operators must familiarise themselves with Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023, which requires their vehicles not to exceed the standard speed limits on open roads.
This festive season, let us all drive safely, let us choose to save lives over recklessness.