Source: 30 ambulances deployed for Easter holiday – herald
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
MORE than 40 mobile teams from law enforcement agencies and 30 ambulances will be deployed countrywide on all major highways to curb road carnage during this year’s Easter and Independence Day holidays.
The mobile teams will be conducting road safety awareness and enforcement agencies will also be in full force to ensure that road traffic offenders are brought to book.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona yesterday launched the Easter and Independence road safety awareness and enforcement campaigns yesterday along the Harare-Chirundu Highway in Mashonaland West .
Minister Mhona said as a mitigating measure of road carnage during this period, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Vehicle Inspectorate Department and other stakeholders would have over 40 mobile teams deployed throughout the country on all major highways.
“This year, the Easter and Independence Road Safety Awareness Campaign is running under the theme: ‘Watch the kilometre ahead’, which serves as an emotional reminder of the journeys we undertake, both literally and figuratively.
“Reflecting on that kilometre ahead, we envision not just the road, but the lives that depend on it. Each kilometre represents precious moments with our loved ones, memories waiting to be created, and the safe return of every individual to their home.
“By being careful, responsible and vigilant about the kilometre ahead, we safeguard our journeys and protect the lives of our families, friends, and fellow citizens. The province of Mashonaland West thrives on a diverse economy dominated by agriculture, mining and tertiary services.
“This economic landscape significantly contributes to the livelihoods of our community members, reminding us that the stakes are high. Farmers transporting goods to local markets, miners commuting to essential sites, and service providers reaching households all depend on safe road conditions. Each journey reinforces the urgent need for road safety awareness,” he said.
Road safety is not merely an individual concern, but a collective responsibility that involves every member of our community, drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.
“The actions and decisions made on the road significantly impact us all, and Mashonaland West is not an exception in this regard. Regrettably, each year, the excitement surrounding the Easter holidays is disturbed by a troubling rise in road traffic crashes,” Minister Mhona said.
Adherence to speed limits is vital, especially in residential areas and near schools, where pedestrian activity is heightened.
He said speeding remains one of the primary contributors to road traffic crashes.
“Furthermore, the importance of fastened seatbelts cannot be overstated. We must encourage all passengers to buckle up before embarking on their journeys, fostering a culture of safety within our vehicles. This responsibility extends beyond the driver; it involves each passenger committing to safety as a collective effort.
“In addition, drivers must remain vigilant and attentive to cyclists and pedestrians. As community members travel increases during the holiday season, the likelihood of encounters with those on foot or on bicycles rises, particularly near busy marketplaces and community centres. By recognising and respecting all road users, we contribute to a safer environment for everyone.
“Under the Visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, we continue to do more on the policy front. As we speak, the development of post-crash-management legislation, in the form of the Road Accident Fund Bill is at an advanced stage.
“This legislation seeks to provide evacuation services to all road traffic accident victims arising from injury or death caused by a road traffic accident; provide medical or funeral assistance arising from injury or death caused by a road traffic accident up to a prescribed amount; and investigate and settle claims, arising from injury or death caused by a road traffic accident,” Minister Mhona said.
Road infrastructure is a crucial component of road transport safety under the safer roads pillar. “In that vein, we are accelerating the rehabilitation of our roads in Zimbabwe. I appeal to drivers and all road users to bear with us on our various construction sites on many of our roads, including but not limited to Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road; Bindura-Kanyemba road; Masvingo-Beitbridge road, and many other roads where our teams are on the ground,” he said.
“The ‘disruption’ you will experience is necessary to ensure long-term enjoyable driving experiences. In this regard, I appeal to the motoring public to plan your travels, factoring the above in mind and importantly, to respect the teams and signs controlling traffic in the construction zones.”
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe board chairperson Mr Kura Sibanda said the council would continue to come up with innovative strategies of promoting road safety, and this campaign is a vital step in raising awareness and fostering a culture of responsibility among all road users.
“With our continued efforts, we emphasize the significance of being mindful as we traverse our roads. Each kilometre travelled holds the potential for memorable moments with family and friends, but it also comes with responsibilities that we must all share.
“A new feature of our campaign is our first attempt, as TSCZ to put together a truly joint effort anchored on the mobile vehicles powered by (a local company) 10/10 Technologies. Each of these vehicles that are by the roadside has capacity to detect issues related to insurance validity, which is of immediate interest to us as TSCZ, but also state of ZBC licence, any outstanding tickets from VID and RMT as well as other information on violations which ZRP may need.
“This time around honourable ministers, we have lived up to your expectations on the whole of Government approach in executing our tasks. The vehicles will be on the roads in various parts of the country, and we will give periodic reports as required.
Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation chairperson Dr Sam Nhanhanga assured that they had enough buses to ferry passengers to their destinations countrywide.
“We would want to assure our passengers that we have enough buses to ferry all citizens in this country, and we have also put up adequate measures to curb speeding, among other safety measures. I would also want to urge transport operators to ensure that all their vehicles are roadworthy before they operate on the roads and avoid overworking drivers to meet targets,” he said.
He urged passengers to report to the police any drivers, who violated traffic rules and regulations at any checkpoints and toll gates.
Discovery Ambulance Services’ head of operations, Mr Taylor Mvududu, said they were also going to strategically deploy ambulances along the country’s major highways to quickly assist in cases of road crashes.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi reiterated that police would be out in full force and will not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law, especially during these holidays.
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