Story by Fungai Jachi
Public transport operators have welcomed the gazetting of a Statutory Instrument which requires drivers of public service vehicles to be aged 30 and above, saying the move will curb road carnage and recklessness on the roads.
In a Government Gazette published this Friday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Honourable Felix Mhona confirmed the new regulations which state that public service vehicle drivers must be 30 years of age and have a minimum of five years driving experience.
However, drivers aged between 25 and 30 who were already authorised to drive before the new regulation will be allowed to continue driving public service vehicles.
The new regulation has been welcomed by transporters, describing the move as a positive development in reducing road carnage.
“When someone is 30 years old, they will be mature enough to understand the importance of protecting human life. This move has come at the right time as we look forward to do all we can to avoid accidents because most of them are because of human error,” Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation’s secretary, Mr Wilfred Chibage said.
Harare Youth Transporters Association’s chairperson, Mr Edmore Gwengwe added, “We are moving in the right direction as a country because having mature people driving public service vehicles will give us a chance to have responsible people on the road. We appreciate government efforts in trying to protect passengers.”
As part of efforts to reduce road accidents, government also introduced speed limiting and monitoring devices in public service vehicles.
These regulations come as Zimbabwe records over two thousand road traffic-related deaths annually, with negligent driving being identified as the leading cause.
