Drivers urged to exercise caution during festive season
Story by Jerold Sasa
THE need for drivers to exercise extreme caution on the roads, particularly during the festive season which is upon us, dominated proceedings when stakeholders converged in Chivhu this Friday to remember road accident victims.
Road traffic accidents have become a major contributory factor to deaths worldwide and the United Nations has set aside the 3rd Sunday of November every year as a day to remember millions of lives lost or hurt by road traffic accidents.
Zimbabwe has not been spared the agony of road carnages, with 1 500 lives having been lost in 38 000 recorded accidents this year, a worrisome development for the government.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Cde Joshua Sacco said, “As a government we are very much concerned with road traffic accidents which are affecting even the economy as the worst affected is the most affected generation.”
“Mashonaland East has not been spared from road carnages especially as we host three of the biggest highways in the country,” Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Aplonia Munzverengwi said.
The use of cell phones while driving has been attributed as one of the causes of road accidents.
The Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon Tatenda Mavetera said, “I call upon our service providers to urge their customers not to text while driving as it is causing accidents.”
“Use of cellphones has been a major concern to us as TSCZ as people tend to lose concentration,” Director General Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Mr Munesu Munodawafa urged.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe handed over mattresses, blankets and sheets to Chivhu Hospital which is one of the worst affected health facilities as it is located along the Harare – Masvingo – Beitbridge Highway where most accidents occur.
