As the sun rises over the bustling city, its rays illuminate a sobering reality that lurks within the streets and highways – the haunting specter of road carnage.
Every day, countless lives are lost, families shattered, and communities left reeling from the devastating impact of accidents on our roads.
In the face of this harrowing crisis, the call for action reverberates with urgency, and the solution lies in the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders.
The recent surge in road accidents that the country has witnessed in the past two weeks needs to be addressed, and indeed, we need everyone to join the fight against road carnage.
In the past two weeks, 25 people have died as a result of road accidents involving public transport operators.
Last week, a Phil Pats bus collided with a truck at Mutangadura along the Mutare-Harare highway due to a negligent truck driver, resulting in the death of 5 people, including the wife of the Manicaland VID Manager, Mr. Katena.
Just after that, another accident involving a Kombi occurred near Mutoko, resulting in the death of 7 people who were coming from a church function.
On Sunday, 8 pilgrims from Bernard Muzeki were burnt beyond recognition in a bus accident.
Currently, forensic specialists are grappling with the DNA processes to identify the names of the victims.
Hardly 48 hours later, a commuter omnibus collided with a haulage truck near Mazowe dam, resulting in the death of 5 people once again.
May all their souls rest in peace.
Noting this increase in road accidents across the country, including some cases which go unreported statistically, it is said that 5 people die every day due to road accidents.
It should raise concern about the commitment of the key stakeholders within the road transport system to fight road carnage, especially operators.
None of the reported accidents involved vehicles that were fully compliant with the regulatory requirements for carrying passengers, even though they are public transport operators.
This is burdening the government, as by expectation, the government is bound to chip in on the burial and medical expenses of the victims of these accidents.
This is in addition to the pressure faced by families of those who are injured or deceased due to these accidents, as they try to survive in the absence of these accident victims who could have been the breadwinners in their families.
While these cases are sometimes ignored as mere statistics, vhayeya.com takes great cognizance of the need for all stakeholders to fight this carnage.
The issue of road carnage transcends individual responsibility; it necessitates a collective, concerted effort from every stakeholder involved in the transportation ecosystem.
From government authorities to law enforcement agencies, transport operators to motorists, and even the general public, the onus of combatting road carnage rests on the shoulders of all.
At the heart of this multifaceted challenge lies the need for stringent enforcement of road safety regulations.
Law enforcement agencies play a pivotal role in upholding traffic laws and ensuring that road users adhere to safety standards.
However, to achieve tangible progress, their commitment to fair and impartial enforcement is paramount.
During his visit to the Mazowe accident site, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the Honorable MP Felix Tapiwa Mhona, expressed sadness and anger towards operators who are using unregistered and non-compliant vehicles, with many of them being involved in these accidents.
He promised to crack down on these non-compliant operators and also mandated the VID department to ensure that people with unregistered vehicles are not allowed on national and other roads.
This sentiment was also echoed by the Minister of Home Affairs, who was present at the scene and noted the need for everyone to be part of the fight against road carnage.
Their sentiments clearly reinforce our assertion that the solutions to the road accidents problem are not one-sided.
When people mention that the ZRP police or VID agents are corrupt, it does not mean that they engage in corruption alone, without the participation of public transport operators and motorists.
Everyone should be aware of the loss of life on the roads and should empathize with that pain, developing the determination to fight together.
The starting point should be the driver training itself, ensuring that the driving lessons for aspiring drivers are rigorous.
This implies that driving schools, individual drivers, public operators, and private company operators dealing with driving heavy vehicles on the road must all be involved.
There should be stricter penalties in the judiciary for those found guilty of causing any road accidents.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe must be granted the authority to arrest and address those who do not adhere to road regulations.
Currently, the TSCZ serves as the primary organization for all driving campaigns and awareness initiatives.
Often, the awareness campaigns are not fruitful as the majority of road users choose to ignore them.
In a scenario where the TSCZ encounters a pirate taxi, mushika-shika, with four people at the front, they can only advise that for road safety, only two people should occupy the front space. However, they do not have the power to arrest or compel the extra passengers to disembark.
The fight against road carnage is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport and the Police, but also rests with individuals.
It is crucial for people to use road-worthy vehicles in order to save lives.
Corruption involves two or more people, as it takes two to tangle.
Passengers on the roads frequently witness the golden handshakes between transport operators, motorists, and the police or VID agents but often choose not to report them.
The golden handshakes and illicit dealings that often transpire between these stakeholders and law enforcement agents undermine the very fabric of road safety.
By prioritizing profit over prudence, they contribute to the perilous conditions that pervade our roadways.
It is everyone’s responsibility to fight against such malpractices in order to collectively combat road carnage.
Without reporting, the law will not protect road users, and we will continue to lose lives on our roads each and every day.
Furthermore, the silence of the general public further compounds the issue.
Passengers who witness malpractices but choose not to report them perpetuate a cycle of negligence that endangers lives.
It is imperative for the public to recognize their pivotal role as advocates for change and to actively participate in the fight against road carnage.
Nevertheless, amidst these challenges lies a glimmer of hope.
The commitment of all stakeholders to effect change can usher in a new era of road safety.
By fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct, we can pave the way for a future where lives are no longer needlessly lost on our roads.
Story by Lovemore Masunungure and Jeremiah Gora
