EVERY year thousands of lives are lost to road traffic accidents. Most of the accidents can be avoided if necessary measures are taken. Public health measures are of utmost importance if road carnage is to be averted. Prominent people have died in road traffic accidents including politicians, professors, doctors, engineers, nurses to mention just but a few. The World Health Organisation approximates that 1,3 million people die in road traffic accidents every year in the world. It is approximated that about 3 500 people die daily, a frightening figure caused by something that can be avoided if anyone plays according to the rules of the game. Zimbabwe loses not less than 5 000 people to accidents every year. The Harare-Beitbridge Highway used to have lots of accidents but with the dualisation that government undertook recently, the number of accidents have been drastically cut. Government should be applauded for working hard to finish the dualisation project. The “Masvingo necarpet” mantra has now been restored.
Many accidents in our country have been attributed to negligent driving and defective vehicles, some of which have been corruptly allowed to be on the roads by the responsible authorities. There are many instances of drunken driving, unlicensed driving, speeding which threaten lives. Stiffer penalties should be imposed on those who breach national laws. Some of the drivers may be licensed, but inexperienced or could have corruptly acquired driving licences. One wonders why and how a vehicle with worn-out tyres is allowed to pass through multiple police roadblocks along the major highways. Imagine a bus with defective brakes risking the lives of more than 75 passengers on board. It is time authorities took appropriate action against anyone caught on the wrong side of the law.
The state of the roads in some areas is deplorable. They are littered with potholes that damage tyres and the consequences are dire for motorists who speed. Accidents can occur as drivers attempt to avoid potholes and head-on collisions have been recorded in many instances. It is imperative that road authorities take action to avert a catastrophe.
Harare has some accident hotspots which continue to take many lives. A week hardly passes without hearing of an accident at Mabvuku turn-off along Harare-Mutare Highway. The place has become a black spot. In 2022, I lost my high school friend in an accident that occurred at the same spot. Residents have said there is need to erect traffic lights at the junction, alas, nothing has been done in a long time. A whole city with a governing council has failed to erect traffic lights at the junction since independence in 1980, it’s just ridiculous. A whole council that cannot construct speed humps at a dangerous spot leaves a lot to be desired. It is my belief that with listening, diligent and competent office-bearers, many road traffic accidents can be averted with very little effort having been exerted. In Kuwadzana, the Kuwadzana-Zvinavashe turn-off is another hotspot for accidents and traffic congestion as there are no traffic lights to regulate traffic flow. Why would a whole city fail to erect traffic lights at such a busy intersection?
If all stakeholders come together with full force, we can stop the road carnage. Say no to corruption!
Johannes Marisa is president of the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe. He writes here in his personal capacity.
