Story by Abigirl Tembo
RESIDENTS of Belvedere West in Harare are calling for urgent road safety interventions along the busy Harare-Bulawayo Highway near the National Sports Stadium following a series of fatal and injury-causing accidents in the area.
The stretch of road has become a major safety concern for the community, with residents saying numerous lives have been lost over the years due to the absence of adequate traffic control measures.
Calls for action intensified after a woman was fatally struck by a vehicle last week while attempting to cross the highway.
Residents are now appealing to the relevant authorities to install traffic lights, construct an access junction and implement additional safety measures to protect both pedestrians and motorists.
“We are losing lives. What we need are traffic lights, an access junction and other measures that will help pedestrians cross safely. Just last week on Friday, three cars collided, and several people were injured because there is no access road, and motorists always take shortcuts, resulting in the accidents,” a resident said.
Another resident highlighted the dangers posed by speeding vehicles on the highway.
“Vehicles travel at high speed along this highway, and it is difficult to cross the road. We are appealing for traffic lights and other safety measures to prevent the loss of lives. Last week, we had three accidents right at this spot,” the resident said.
Community members also expressed concern about the safety of schoolchildren who regularly use the route.
“This is a busy road, and school children use this busy road, so we appeal to the authorities because these accidents have been taking place for a long time. It has become the norm,” a local resident said.
As traffic volumes continue to increase along one of the country’s busiest highways, residents say immediate intervention is needed to improve road safety and prevent further loss of life.
The community hopes the installation of traffic management infrastructure and pedestrian safety measures will help reduce accidents and create a safer environment for all road users.
