By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – Government has set an ambitious target of reducing road traffic crashes by 50 percent by 2030, while moving to strengthen enforcement, modernise traffic management systems and transform the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) into a more empowered road safety agency.
Addressing the high-level National Road Safety Indaba in Harare on Friday, Vice President Kembo Modadi said Zimbabwe could no longer afford to treat road accidents as an unavoidable consequence of increased mobility, particularly amid rising fatalities and injuries.
He revealed that the country recorded 48 190 road traffic crashes between January and September this year, resulting in 1 979 deaths and leaving 8 061 people injured.
“Behind every road carnage statistic is a family that is plunged into grief, children deprived of parental care and perhaps even an entire promising future prematurely taken away from us,” he said.
He said road accidents also placed immense pressure on health institutions, disrupted business operations and diverted resources that could otherwise support national development.
The Vice President said more than 94 percent of road accidents were attributable to human factors, underscoring the need for stronger law enforcement, responsible road use and improved driver education.
He revealed that the recently introduced Smart Traffic Management System had recorded more than four million traffic violations at 20 intersections in Harare within weeks of its rollout.
“These violations have more than doubled the number of registered vehicles in Zimbabwe. That’s about three violations per vehicle on average, and this is in Harare. We cannot carry on like this,” he said.
He called on the Zimbabwe Republic Police to intensify enforcement and close loopholes that allow traffic offenders to escape accountability, while urging the judiciary to expedite the prosecution of traffic cases and impose appropriate penalties.
He added that no one, regardless of political or public office, was above the law.
“Even if you see the Vice President driving recklessly, get him arrested. He is not above the law. We have but one supreme law, the Constitution, and everyone must adhere to that,” he said.
Government is also pursuing policy and institutional reforms to transform the TSCZ into a stronger road safety agency with enhanced enforcement powers, in line with international best practices and Zimbabwe’s obligations under the Africa Road Safety Charter.
He directed the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development to urgently develop proposals for the transformation, adding that the reformed institution must be adequately resourced and legally empowered to deliver results.
He further called on Parliament to expedite the Road Accident Fund Bill to strengthen support for victims of road traffic crashes.
On driver competence, he said Government would strengthen learner licensing requirements and defensive driving training, stressing that public officials and ordinary motorists must demonstrate equal commitment to road safety.
VP Mohadi also raised concern over livestock straying onto public roads, urging farmers to secure their animals and communities to protect roadside infrastructure.
He said Government would review outdated legislation, including Statutory Instrument 308 of 1974, to address the problem.
He further called for coordinated prevention, public education and stricter enforcement against driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
He said achieving the 2030 target would require collective responsibility from Government institutions, law enforcement agencies, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and communities.
“Every Zimbabwean should be able to travel on our roads with greater confidence that their safety is a Government priority,” he said.
New Ziana
