Suburban
Road Safe Zimbabwe has called on the relevant authorities to put more measures that will ensure the safety of cyclists on the roads as many are being run over and the reckless drivers in some of the cases are never found.
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
Road Safe Zimbabwe director Mr Sam Nyaude made the call recently at commemorations to mark the 7th United Nations Road Safety Week 2023.
The UN Global Road Safety Week was held between 15-21 May 2023 where calls were made for policy makers to #RethinkMobility in order to make walking, cycling, and public transport safe and convenient so that people can make the shift to active and sustainable mobility.
The shift is one of the recommendations in the global plan for the decade of action 2021-2030.
In Zimbabwe, the Government is working on revising statutory instruments to strengthen road safety legislation in the medium to long term. Current statistics show that five people are killed daily in road traffic accidents and the Government is considering revisiting some of the various pieces of legislation on road safety.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), which has since embarked on a programme to remark pedestrian crossing points in Harare, highlighted the far-reaching negative economic effects of accidents.
Mr Nyaude said Zimbabwe needs to speed up the process of crafting a road safety strategy as it is among the most dangerous countries in the world for road users. He said that there are few safe facilities catering for pedestrians and cyclists in Zimbabwe.
“Unfortunately, Zimbabwe currently does not have a road safety strategy despite being among the most dangerous countries in the world to use the road. The recent census seems to point to the fact that about 80 percent of Zimbabwe’s population is reliant on walking, cycling and public transport for their daily commutes. Sadly, it seems these areas of mobility have been neglected. There are very few safe facilities catering for pedestrians and cyclists. Even more disturbing is the unavailability of safe, dignified and sustainable mass transit transportation,” said Mr Nyaude.
Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with around 1.3 million people killed and as many as 50 million people injured each year. For people aged 5-29 years, there is no greater threat to their lives. Globally, 1 of every 4 road deaths occurs among pedestrians and cyclists.
The World Health Organisation, in the Zimbabwe Road Safety Performance Review, estimates that about 7 000 people are killed as a result of road traffic collisions. Close to 50 000 more people suffer various levels of injury and unfortunately for some these result in permanent injuries.
The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 reflects an ambitious target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 percent by 2030. It highlights that road traffic injuries and deaths can be prevented by addressing the whole transport system, taking action to ensure safe roads, vehicles and behaviours as well as to improve emergency care.
WHO, in collaboration with partners, organises periodic UN Global Road Safety Weeks. This year’s edition focuses on sustainable transport, in particular the need to shift to walking, cycling and using public transport. Road safety is both a prerequisite for and an outcome of this shift.
Road Safe Zimbabwe says while the UN Road Safety Week provides a huge opportunity to bring the need for improved road safety in Zimbabwe, it is rather disappointing that there is an overwhelming need for Zimbabwe to seriously prioritise road safety.
This year’s themes call upon governments to #RethinkMobility in order to create #StreetsforLife, that prioritise people over vehicles and ensure #RoadSafety.
Road Safe Zimbabwe is a non-governmental organisation registered in Zimbabwe and has been active in road safety promotion for more than 10 years in the country and the region.
