Zimbabwe put 'motorists on phones' on notice

In a renewed push to reduce road traffic accidents, the Government has urged the police to strictly enforce laws against motorists who use mobile phones while driving, warning that distracted driving is contributing to a surge in fatal crashes.

The call was made yesterday during a road safety workshop held in Harare by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) in collaboration with the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). The event ran under the theme "Don't phone, text and drive" and brought together key stakeholders from Government, law enforcement and the transport sector.

Among those in attendance were Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Joshua Sacco, Harare Metropolitan Province Permanent Secretary Mr Cosmas Chiringa, TSCZ board vice chairperson Ms Lizwe Bhunu, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, and transport operators, including Zimbabwe Public Transport Organisation (ZPTO) chairperson Dr Sam Nhanhanga.

Deputy Minister Sacco said the collaboration between POTRAZ and TSCZ reflected a collective responsibility shared by Government officials, regulators, mobile network operators and road users to address road safety challenges.

"I must, however, admit that we convene this session when most of us are anxious, as this season is generally associated with increased incidents of road crashes," he said. "Hence, we carry the feeling of heavy-heartedness and optimism at the same time. My heart is heavy because every day on our roads, lives are cut short not by fate or crashes, but by choices we make."

He spoke strongly against distracted driving, particularly the use of mobile phones behind the wheel, describing it as one of the most dangerous behaviours on the road.

"Distracted driving encompasses any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking on the phone, eating, or even adjusting the radio," Sacco said. "Of the various forms of distraction, texting is the most alarming, as it combines visual, manual and cognitive distractions.

"When you look down to text, you are not merely taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds; you are risking everything."

Sacco warned that despite significant improvements in road infrastructure under the National Development Strategy 1, distracted driving continues to undermine safety gains.

"Even with our improvements in road infrastructure, we witness tragic crashes caused by drivers who are not fully focused on the road, often due to mobile devices," he said. "This issue affects not only those involved, but also their families and communities."

In a speech read on his behalf by Mr Chiringa, Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Senator Charles Tawengwa said road crashes continue to claim lives and leave many permanently injured, underscoring the urgency of sustained awareness campaigns and enforcement.

"Each year, countless lives are lost or forever changed due to road crashes," Tawengwa said. "It is our responsibility to take action, raise awareness and foster a culture of road safety on our roads.

"This campaign aims to educate our community and the nation at large on the importance of safe driving practices. We need to be aware of the dangers of distracted driving and the significance of adhering to traffic laws."

Dr Nhanhanga echoed these concerns, expressing alarm at the frequency of fatal accidents involving drivers who use mobile phones while driving.

As the campaign rolls out nationwide, stakeholders say the focus will remain on education and firm enforcement of traffic laws to curb distracted driving. Authorities are urging motorists to put their phones aside and remain fully focused on the road, saying safer driving habits are key to saving lives.