BCC gets tough to tame traffic jungle

THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has introduced stiffer penalties on errant motorists in a bid to weed out delinquent drivers and restore sanity in the city centre.

According to a report on the proposed Municipal Roads and Traffic Laws (Offences and Fixed Penalties) and (Clamping and Tow-Away By-Laws) Amendment Regulations, the council has tightened penalties for motorists who flout council traffic by-laws and introduced new fines for specific offences.

The fines apply to both private and public service vehicles. Also to be affected would be cyclists and push cart operators.

Commuter omnibus operators found picking up passengers at undesignated points will pay a fine of $50, up from about $35 while buses will pay $80 for the same offence.

Those caught flouting the rules for the second time will be forced to pay $100 while repeat offenders will be taken to court for trial.

Commuter omnibus operators who cut or divert their routes would pay up to $80.

Fines for storage of impounded vehicles have been increased to a minimum of $20 for small vehicles from about $15 and $50 per day for heavy vehicles such as buses.

Buses and commuter omnibus operators who enter the central business district (CBD) with passengers through an unauthorised route will pay $50 and $30 for driving through centre parking without stopping.

Heavy-duty vehicles such as haulage trucks would pay $80 for a similar offence.

Motorists who would be found unloading goods outside loading bays will be fined $40 from $35.

The new regulations also require taxi operators to display their fares with a fine of $20 charged for non-compliance.

In addition, taxi drivers are supposed to display a council licence and failure to do so attracts a fine of $30.

They also risk being fined $5 per passenger if they carry more than three passengers at the back seat.

Those who demand from a passenger a fare that is higher than the prescribed will pay a fine of $25.

Drivers of heavy vehicles will be fined $100 for parking in residential areas.

The same amount will be levied on motorists found carrying inflammable substances in a built up area.

Both public service vehicles and taxi operators will pay a fine of up to $50 for failure to produce route permits and $40 for certificates of fitness for their vehicles.

The council has also vowed to strictly monitor public service vehicles and ensure that they stick to their routes and timetable.

Motorists who obstruct an emergency vehicle will be forced to pay $100.

The local authority has also introduced $5 fine for public service vehicles without a refuse receptacle.

Passengers would also be fined $5 for throwing litter out of a motor vehicle.

Cyclists and pushcarts are not spared either, as they are required to always display a valid licence.

Those who ride on the road where a cycle track is provided will pay $5.

The Town Clerk, Mr Middleton Nyoni, has given different stakeholders up to 26 March to visit council offices and submit their views on the proposed amendments.

The city council and the police have been involved in running battles with motorists, especially commuter omnibus drivers, over the observance of road traffic regulations.

At some point the council was considering banning commuter omnibuses from plying the city's roads.

Last year the city council organised consultative meetings with its stakeholders to discuss ways on how to deal with the traffic problems.

This was after members of the public had complained over congestion in the city centre and implored the relevant authorities to deal with the issue.

Congestion and flouting of traffic regulations has been blamed for the increase in the number of accidents in the city.