VID using outdated equipment

Kautsiro told the parliamentary portfolio committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development chaired by Zanu-PF legislator Amos Midzi that weak laws had contributed to the high number of people dying on the country's highways.

"VID is under-capitalised to carry out effective vehicle testing, while most of the equipment used for testing these vehicles is old and worn out. In some cases it is not compatible with latest vehicle makes. As a result we are having many unsafe vehicles being used as public transport," said Kautsiro.

He slammed spot fines by the police, saying they did little to deter law breaking by motorists.

"Giving a ticket is not efficient enough in enhancing passenger care, but now the police have daily targets which they tend to fulfil by giving tickets and let non-compliant vehicle stay on the roads. We want a situation where all old vehicles are not allowed on the roads.

"Transport operators must be banned from importing second hand tyres and all tyres that are imported should be examined to see if they conform to our standards," he said.

According to Kautsiro, unregistered vehicles, unlicensed drivers, old-model vehicles and all those who broke the road laws were being allowed to continue using the roads, in the process endangering the safety of the public.

The CBOA has 29 operators who own a total of 900 buses operating locally and regionally.

According to Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), five people die daily in road accidents and 85% of accidents were a result of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol. At least 80% of accidents which occurred during the 2013-2014 festive season were a result of speeding.

Meanwhile, TCSZ said it was drafting a road safety policy aimed at reducing road traffic accidents.

TSCZ product development and marketing manager Ernest Muchena told the committee that preparations for the launch of the policy were at an advanced stage.

"TSCZ is drafting a road safety policy and we expect it to be legislated by next year. We have not been able to enact the policy as the country didn't have a transport policy, but the new constitution now provides for that," he said.

According to Muchena, the new policy was expected to give the council a mandate to apprehend road safety defaulters as well as to provide media with information on accidents and road safety.

"We will be able to cover the existing loop-holes and we will be a lead agent, not only in educating the public, but will have some powers to assist law makers with punishment enforcement," he said.

TSCZ managing director Obio Chinyere said the current traffic fines should be reviewed upwards to make them more deterrent to would be offenders.

"Areas which need stiffer penalties include fining of owners of stray livestock, fining of underage drivers and their employers. In fact, any penalty for defaulting road safety should be harder," said Chinyere.

According to Chinyere, the current highest fine under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act Chapter 12:14 was $20.

Muchena also revealed that TSCZ would produce a new Highway Code and a new training manual this year as the current Highway Code was 40 years old.