Nhau News Online News that is accurate, reliable, trustworthy!!
Fatal accidents on Zimbabwe’s roads are being recorded every other day, and going through a red robot has since been normalised while driving without a valid driver’s licence has become fashionable as one can easily get away with it.
It is now a real risk driving in Zimbabwe’s traffic jungle, particularly during peak hours. It is actually worse in urban settings such as Harare where there is always huge traffic flow.
Yes, anytime of the day drivers are breaking road rules and regulations willy-nilly. What is actually going on in these drivers’ minds? Why has the situation suddenly deteriorated to these alarming levels? Is it because of the downscaling by traffic cops since complaints were raised against them during the abusive extortionist days of former police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri?
Pedestrians, pushcart operators and cyclists are no longer respected as important road users. Instead, they are treated as mere obstacles that should be bullied and pushed aside without due regard. Where have the proper road use mannerisms gone to?
Bad mannered kombi drivers or is it touts, always swear at other road users in their ever ‘go-fast’ mode. Is this the art at all? Are they conscious of the fact that they will cause road rage, that sudden violent anger provoked in a motorist by the actions of another driver, resulting in potential fatalities? Anger is a distraction, a danger on the road.
Why has the red robot suddenly been painted green? Proper lane selection is now a thing of the past. Motorists have the guts to turn right from the extreme left lane without considering who is coming or what risks lie ahead.
Of Defective Vehicles, Training, Testing
One wonders what some of the causes of these accidents taking place really are. Is it strictly reckless driving? Could it be defective cars? Is it because of the thousands of unlicensed drivers on the roads? Is it because the police have become lax?
Road accident investigators have often pointed to vehicle defects, which raises the important point of whether the general motoring public is capable of servicing their vehicles to be roadworthy. Just how many individually-owned vehicles are roadworthy considering that spare parts are being sold in forex against Zimbabwe dollar salaries?
Covid-19 came with its own set of problems. Driving schools shutdown and those who were training to drive were caught unawares. The Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) shut down too. Learners were left unable to continue with the process. So, what did they do? They simply got on the road without supervision at all.
As a result of this, lives were lost through accidents that could have been avoided, vehicles were totalled, people were maimed and yet no one seems to be paying attention to this.
The VID resumed operations Monday. They are back in full swing. Are those who are yet to acquire licences really going back to undergo the tests or they will simply buy as has long been alleged?
Media reports say aspiring drivers yesterday thronged VID depots across the country to either sit for provisional driver’s licence tests or undergo road tests. But was the shutdown of VID depots countrywide as part of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 an excuse for unlicensed drivers to go on the roads?
The Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry said all the depots are adhering to Covid-19 prevention measures. But what are they doing to ensure prospective drivers adhere to the law and avoid driving without a licence?
Is government aware of the proliferation of unregistered driving schools that have sprouted around the country? Are they properly comprised of competent trainers?
Has the Transport ministry clamped down on graft at VID? Remember some officials were recently fired for accepting bribes to issue of both provisional and complete licences.
With their resumption of operations; is Zimbabwe guaranteed of good drivers or the bribing continues unabated resulting in the churning out of ill cooked drivers? Are these drivers being issued with licences actually qualified after all? Is there a need to re-test everyone again?
Reckless Driving
Speed thrills inexperienced drivers – but are they aware of the potential risks in light of other road users? How best can the issue of speeding be dealt with? Are the current statutory provisions against speeding deterrent enough? Why do road users continue speeding?
Their love for speed causes them to break another crucial rule of the road, they always want to go first. Worse if the kombi or bus is being driven by a tout. Are they even aware of the consequences of failure to give way and turning in front of oncoming traffic?
As if speeding is not enough of a problem, drivers are following other vehicles too close? Did they even read the Highway Code? Did they understand the principles of driving? Are driving instructors teaching learners well? Maybe they are simply after their clients’ money not actually teaching them how to drive!
What about fatigue? Why do drivers ignore fatigue when they are on the road? There are high risks of error arising from misjudgement; are they aware?
Inattentive driving is generally the failure by a driver to pay proper attention to the road while driving. What is the main cause of this? Nowadays, cell phones, the new technological advancements are now exposing road users to huge risks. Why are drivers suddenly becoming typists whilst driving? Why not park on the roadside than risk distracting other road users?
Ladies are seen putting make up while driving. Really? Are they aware how much danger they are putting fellow motorists in? What about other road users? Generally drivers have become a danger to the general public. Why drive and type on one’s phone at the same time? Why drive and take yourself a selfie?
There has been talk, in the past five years, of placing cameras at intersections. Where are these cameras? Is there a control centre to monitor those cameras yet? Has anyone been caught breaking the law through the cameras? Have they been fined or taken to court?
Are the authorities coming up with strict laws to overcome this menace before it really gets out of hand? Because, let’s face it, the punishments are inadequate. What happened to the 40 Zupco employees/drivers fired for not having driver’s licences? Someone kills people and they are given a slap on the wrist. It is unacceptable.
Dear reader, if you are a road user, be a good one whether you are driving, walking, cycling or pushing a wheelbarrow. Nhau/lndaba
