Suburban
ROAD Safe Zimbabwe in partnership with a number of organisations has launched a road safety awareness campaign against drinking and driving.
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
The launch was done last week Friday along Borrowdale Road and Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Road (formerly Enterprise Road) between 6pm and 9pm.
The campaign will target all major roads in Harare and Road Safe Zimbabwe launched it in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, (ZRP Borrowdale Crime Consultative Committee, Highlands Police Station), Help24 Seven, Ace Air and Ambulance and Miracle Missions Trust.
Deaths and injuries resulting from vehicle crashes and collisions are a major problem on Zimbabwean roads, especially during holiday seasons.
A police officer and an official from the Borrowdale Crime Consultative Committee talk to a motorist along Borrowdale Road.
Road Safety Zimbabwe founder Mr Sam Nyaude said last Friday’s awareness campaign was just to educate the drivers, but going forward arrests will be made against those found drinking and driving as they are working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“Last Friday it was just a lot of road awareness but going forward best believe there are going to be arrests made for people caught driving under the influence. May we make this festive season not be marred by road crashes but rather filled with happiness,” said Mr Nyaude.
He added: “May we make this festive season not be marred by road crashes but rather filled with happiness.”
Ace Air and Ambulance were part of the partners at the launch of the road safety campaign.
Help 24 Seven Zimbabwe director Mr Rodney Beadon said driving while under the influence of alcohol, has caused an unacceptable number of the deaths and injuries. He said the prevalence of drinking and driving is increasing and needs to be stopped.
“A change in the behaviour of road users, with regard to alcohol consumption, is the only approach to preventing traffic deaths and injuries. Measures forbidding driving while under the influence of alcohol will lead to a considerable improvement in road safety and a reduction in the number of the dead and injured,” he said.
“Under the cooperation between ACE Air and Ambulances, Help 24 Seven, Miracle missions, Monson Funeral Directors, the Road Users Association of Zimbabwe, Road Safe Zimbabwe, together with the ZRP Traffic, we are proactively working to stop the culture of driving under the influence of alcohol in Zimbabwe. Through the manning of road blocks and awareness (campaigns), we aim to curb the carnage on our roads caused by drunk drivers,” said Mr Beadon.
