The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the country’s roads, following a worrying rise in traffic accidents over the past months.
By Patson Gumbo
ZRP National Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the police were stepping up efforts to address road safety violations through a range of enforcement and public awareness measures.
“The ZRP is taking a multi-faceted approach to address reckless driving. This includes conducting roadblocks to check for vehicle defects, using breathalysers to prevent drunk driving, and publishing the names of motorists who breach road regulations. We are also implementing an Electronic Traffic Management System to track reckless drivers and traffic law violators,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
He added that motorists must prioritise the safety of other road users, and emphasized that the police would remain vigilant in enforcing traffic laws.
“Our message is clear: motorists must exercise caution on the road, observe all traffic regulations, and prioritise the safety of other road users,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi reiterated that the police remain committed to enforcing the law and educating the public on responsible driving practices.
Road safety advocacy group, Road Safe Zimbabwe, has commended the ZRP for its continued efforts in enforcing traffic laws. However, the organisation called for more decisive action from the judicial system to complement police efforts.
Sam Nyaude, Executive Director of Road Safe Zimbabwe, noted that while enforcement was crucial, it must be supported by stiffer penalties for offenders.
“The lawlessness on our roads has reached appalling levels. If the government intensifies road traffic enforcement and introduces stiffer penalties for all traffic offences, we will see a significant decline in road traffic crashes,” said Nyaude.
He welcomed the government’s commitment to rolling out an Electronic Traffic Management System but urged authorities to ensure the judiciary is prepared to handle the growing caseload of traffic-related offences.
“We understand that the government is making significant strides towards implementing the system, and the ZRP continues to urge motorists to comply with traffic laws. Our hope is that the judicial system is equally ready to prosecute offenders,” he added.
Nyaude further called on the government to elevate road safety to a national priority by declaring traffic deaths a national disaster.
“We sincerely hope that the highest office in the land declares road traffic deaths a national disaster requiring urgent action. A Presidential Directive prioritising road safety could significantly improve the situation and ultimately save lives,” he said.
Human error continues to be cited as the leading cause of road accidents in Zimbabwe, with reckless driving and failure to observe road regulations topping the list.
In the first half of 2025, Zimbabwe recorded more road accidents compared to the same period in 2024. There was also a noticeable spike in accidents during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.
In one of the most tragic incidents in July, 17 people lost their lives when a commuter omnibus collided with a haulage truck along Seke Road. Additionally, two fatal accidents were recorded along the Mutare-Masvingo Road.
The Dzivarasekwa turn-off in Harare has also become a notorious black spot, with frequent accidents reported in the area.