Zimbabwe’s Extensive Road Safety Measures for Festive Season

Zimbabwe has launched an extensive road safety campaign during the festive season, deploying over 50 roadblocks across major highways to tackle speeding, unroadworthy vehicles, and overloading.

The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) leads this initiative, with officers from multiple agencies ensuring thorough checks at long-distance bus termini for compliance with safety and loading standards.

Sixteen mobile units equipped with police motorcycles and patrol cars are actively monitoring speed limits and vehicle certifications on highways, ensuring drivers adhere to safety protocols.

Strategic placement of 36 static roadblocks along key routes facilitates comprehensive vehicle inspections, aiming to enforce traffic laws and reduce festive season accidents.

This year’s campaign is a collaborative effort involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Vehicle Inspection Department, Central Vehicle Registry, and Road Motor Transportation department.

Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, emphasized the government’s commitment to road safety, ensuring adequate police presence to enforce traffic laws.

The campaign extends vigilance to residential areas and border posts to manage peace, order, and counter transnational crimes, reflecting a holistic approach to safety.

This response comes as road traffic accidents have seen an 8 percent rise in 2024, with 39,461 incidents recorded from January to September, compared to 36,628 in 2023.

Fatal accidents have also increased, with 1,169 incidents this year against 1,130 in the previous year, highlighting the urgency of the current safety measures.

The human cost is stark, with 1,532 lives lost this year, up from 1,373 in 2023, underscoring the need for stringent safety enforcement during the holidays.

TSCZ managing director, Mr. Munesu Munodawafa, stressed that this year’s campaign focuses on both awareness and enforcement, with innovative methods to educate and enforce road safety.

New high-tech scanners are being utilized to quickly verify vehicle and driver documentation, enhancing the efficiency of roadblock operations.

The campaign’s mobile units are particularly focused on highways, addressing issues like overloading, which is a significant contributor to road accidents.

The Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) advises travelers to choose registered transport operators, highlighting increased robbery risks with unregistered transporters.

PAZ national coordinator, Mr. Tafadzwa Goliati, warns of the dangers posed by unregistered transport, urging public vigilance and preference for regulated services.

The Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus (GHACO) has also committed to monitoring compliance among its members, ensuring vehicles meet all safety standards.

GHACO chairperson, Mr. Ngono Katsvairo, stresses the importance of vehicles having certificates of fitness, speed limiters, and passenger insurance for safety.

Patrol vehicles will monitor ranks and routes, keeping an eye out for reckless, drunk drivers, with GHACO advocating for strict enforcement of road rules.

This festive season, Zimbabwe’s approach to road safety is marked by an unprecedented level of coordination and technological application among various agencies to save lives and ensure safe travel.