Talent Gore
ASSOCIATIONS representing commuters have called upon authorities to enforce stricter laws against motorists who are driving recklessly and causing accidents.
This comes after a commuter omnibus encroached into the lane of a fuel tanker in Harare yesterday resulting in a head-on collision along the Harare-Bulawayo Road in Kuwadzana .
It resulted in the death of seven people.
According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), 94 percent of road crashes recorded in Zimbabwe are caused by human error.
Passengers Association of Zimbabwe national coordinator, Tafadzwa Goliati, said the law should descend heavily on drivers and transport operators who are in the business of cutting corners.
Goliati identified alcohol abuse as one of the reasons for the negligent conduct being displayed by most drivers, especially those in the public transport sector.
Goliati also condemned rampant corruption in the transport sector, adding that many offenders managed to evade penalties by bribing their way out.
“Our people are being packed like sardines in these overloaded vehicles. What is worse is that there’s no accountability when accidents happen.
“No one is held responsible,” he said.
“We urge the responsible Government agencies, like the Vehicle Inspections Department (VID), to intensify its operations to monitor vehicle roadworthiness, and the police are urged to also monitor road safety standards for vehicles.
“Most of them spend time drinking these cheap spirits and wines which they disguise by putting in energy drink containers.
“This is why they are increasingly engaging in these reckless tendencies such as driving towards oncoming vehicles.”
He added:
“Drivers varikuchinjana mota nezvinamira (touts) without drivers licence and this has been normalised.
“Right now the rumour has it that the driver of the kombi was a mere tout with no licence, so a lot is happening especially when it comes to the urban transport system.”
ZUDAC president, Fradreck Maguramhinga, said:
“Our condolences to the bereaved families, for us in the transport sector this is a black day, this sort of accident had never happened in our industry,” he said.
“The area in which the accident happened is a busy area and we encourage drivers to drive cautiously when approaching that area.
“We know that human error dominates 94 percent of most of the accidents that happen on our roads so this means that a lot has to be done to avoid such.
“Most accidents that are happening in urban areas are occurring at intersections so drivers have to be extra careful when approaching such areas.”