During the Easter weekend, Zimbabwe’s road safety initiative yielded similar results to the previous year, with only the intervention of remarkable fortune or divine intervention preventing two potential disasters when two buses veered off the road and overturned.
Relying solely on luck is not a sustainable approach, though the emphasis placed by road safety authorities on restricting bus speeds likely mitigated these incidents, transforming them from potential catastrophes to unfortunate accidents.
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Although the weekend’s death toll decreased slightly from 29 to 27 compared to last year—a decrease of about seven percent—the number of injuries rose slightly from 145 to 159, an increase of approximately 9.7 percent. The total number of accidents barely changed, decreasing slightly from 288 to 286, less than one percent. In essence, significant efforts were made to maintain the status quo, with luck playing a crucial role.
Nevertheless, the situation could have been far worse. On Good Friday, an Andile Coaches bus veered off the Harare-Chirundu route, injuring 14 passengers. Similarly, on Easter Monday, a Link Coaches bus chartered by a church overturned on the Mutare-Masvingo highway in broad daylight, yet miraculously all 75 occupants emerged unscathed.
The police are actively investigating the causes of these incidents. While excessive speed may be suspected as a contributing factor, the absence of severe injuries suggests that if speed was a factor, it may not have been excessively so.
The enforcement of speed limits for buses likely played a role in averting more disastrous outcomes. It’s crucial that investigations into these accidents are conducted meticulously to understand the factors at play and the interventions that helped prevent further harm.
Despite the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development’s efforts to curb speeding through legal measures such as speed tracking, it’s important to recognize that safe speeds can vary depending on road conditions. Drivers must exercise caution and adjust their speed accordingly.
The police also reported at least two pedestrian fatalities resulting from collisions with cars. While details of the incidents were provided, it’s encouraging to see drivers stopping to render aid and report the incidents, particularly in light of increasing hit-and-run accidents.
Issues persist with both pedestrians and drivers sharing the same road space. Pedestrians often fail to adhere to safety guidelines by walking on the wrong side of the road, while drivers frequently exceed speed limits, making it hazardous for pedestrians to cross safely. Education initiatives must address the responsibilities of both parties to mitigate these risks effectively.
The police emphasized that all Easter accidents were attributable to driver error, highlighting the preventable nature of these incidents. Common errors such as speeding, inattention, misjudgment, and failure to adhere to road rules resulted in unnecessary casualties.
Many drivers overestimate their abilities and regularly flout road regulations out of impatience. While some drivers, such as kombi drivers, demonstrate skill and concentration, there is a pervasive disregard for traffic regulations among many.
Enhanced enforcement, aided by modern technologies, is crucial to improving road safety. Automated speed tracking systems and other technological advancements can bolster monitoring and enforcement efforts.
Additionally, the Zimbabwe Traffic Safety Council could enhance its educational campaigns by highlighting real-life examples of accidents caused by driver error to foster greater awareness and responsibility among drivers.
