Every year thousands of lives are lost to road traffic accidents and the sad thing is that most of the accidents can be avoided if necessary measures are taken.
Public health measures are of utmost importance if road carnage is to be averted.
Prominent people have died in road traffic accidents including politicians, professors, doctors, engineers, nurses to mention just but a few.
The World Health Organisation approximates that 1,3 million people die from road traffic accidents every year in the world.
It is approximated that about 3 500 people die daily, a frightening figure from something that has potential to be averted.
Zimbabwe loses not less than 5 000 people to accidents every year.
The Harare-Beitbridge highway used to be a death trap, but with the current road rehabilitation that the government is working on, the accident scourge has been drastically cut.
Government should be applauded for working hard to finish the road and the “Masvingo neCarpet” mantra has now been revitalised.
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Many accidents in our country have been attributed to negligent driving and defective vehicles, some of which have been corruptly allowed to be on the roads by the responsible authorities, which include the Vehicle Inspection Department and the police, among others.
There are many instances of drunken driving, unlicensed driving and speedy driving which still threaten many lives.
Stiff penalties should be imposed on those who breach the national laws. Some of the drivers may be licenced, but inexperienced or could have corruptly acquired driving licences.
One wonders why and how a vehicle without good tyres is allowed to pass through all the multiple roadblocks along the major roads.
Imagine a defective bus carrying 75 passengers without adequate brakes with the whole risk of plunging the entire cabin into gorges or rivers!
It is time to take appropriate action against everyone caught on the wrong side of the law that threatens humanity.
The state of the roads in some areas is deplorable with unbearable potholes that cut tyre edges and the consequences may be dire for motorists that will be driving at high speeds.
Accidents can occur as drivers attempt to avoid potholes and head-on collisions have been recorded on many instances.
It is imperative that road authorities take action early to avert unforeseen catastrophe in future.
The ministry of Transport has taken time to repair Old Kirkman road, which has been left idle for almost two years now.
No action is witnessed on the road up to now. Whoever is responsible for this road should know that motorists and Rainham residents are not happy about this unfinished project.
Harare has some accident hotspots which continue to take many lives.
A week is difficult to pass without hearing of an accident at Mabvuku turn-off along Harare-Mutare road.
The place has become a death spot. It was last year when I lost my high school friend from the complications of road accident that occurred at the same spot.
Residents have cried loudly about the need to erect traffic lights at the junction, alas, nothing has materialised for a long time now.
A whole city with a governing council cannot erect traffic lights since independence in 1980, it’s just ridiculous.
A whole council that cannot even construct speed humps at the death spot leaves a lot to be desired.
It is my belief that with listening, diligent and competent office-bearers, many road traffic accidents can be averted with even very little effort exerted.
In Kuwadzana, the Kuwadzana-Zvinavashe turn-off is another dangerous place for accidents and traffic congestion as there are no traffic lights to regulate traffic flow.
Why would a whole city fail to erect traffic lights at such serious junctions that bring headaches and heartaches to motorists during peak hours?
If all the road stakeholders come together with full force, then we can stop unnecessary road carnage. Say no to corruption!
