The festive season, which has now set in, is synonymous with road accidents and unnecessary deaths and Zimbabweans best be advised to take caution on the roads.
One death on the roads is death too many and we plead with drivers to take the necessary caution when they take to the roads.
We plead with motorists to embark on their journeys slightly earlier, rather than resort to speeding, as impatience and hastiness is the cause of many accidents.
There is a lot of travelling that happens during the festive season, meaning a good number of drivers are often exhausted and badly in need of rest.
There is no harm in pulling to the side of the road and having a little rest.
The recent rains that swept across the country also make driving trickier, as roads are increasingly slippery and this could lead to accidents.
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That most of Zimbabwe’s roads are in an awful state is no secret and potentially fatal potholes are often submerged in water, meaning motorists ought to take more care, driving slowly and carefully.
It is sad to note that motorists, particularly in Harare, tend to lose their heads each time it rains.
Traffic intersections are reduced to the wildest of jungles, with motorists failing to adhere to the simplest of road rules and common sense.
It is prudent that motorists exercise patience and stick to the road rules, while exercising common courtesy.
It is time Zimbabweans resorted to the good old wisdom, that rushing does not mean arrival.
Another sad thing is Zimbabwean motorists seem to have a lackadaisical approach when it comes to using their mobile phones while driving.
It is trite to mention that it is illegal and extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
A number of drivers, probably fearing being left out, are often seen whipping out their mobile phones and texting while they drive, putting the lives of their passengers and other road users in mortal danger.
Another vice that is common – and more pronounced during the festive season, is drinking and driving. This could be one of the most dangerous crimes ever on the road and we implore drivers to be sober and alert at all times.
It is also incumbent on police officers to make sure that sanity prevails on all roads, they should be seen controlling traffic at intersections, particularly during peak hours and when it rains.
The police have often been accused of turning a blind eye to traffic offences, as some of them would have received bribes.
In the short term this may seem beneficial to the officer, but what would they benefit when lives are lost for filthy lucre.
We urge authorities to be very strict with any traffic violations, while any police officer seen receiving a bribe should face the full wrath of the law.
It is our humble plea that everyone takes the necessary precautions on the road to avoid accidents, injuries and unnecessary loss of lives.