Bus drivers warned against overloading

Three school bus drivers in Harare were yesterday ordered to offload excess luggage during a police-led back-to-school road safety awareness campaign ahead of the opening of schools for the second term today.

A number of boarding school learners travelled yesterday as authorities intensified efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents involving school transport.

Maxwell Chikunguru led the campaign and urged school authorities and transport operators to prioritise the safety of learners over profit.

He was accompanied by Assistant Commissioners Dorcas Matshilanga and John Simon while addressing drivers, parents, guardians and learners.

Bus drivers from Alheit Chingombe High School, St Mark's High School and Chemhanza High School were among those instructed to reduce the amount of luggage being carried on their vehicles.

"Let us consider safety on the roads and avoid anything that may contribute to road traffic accidents," Comm Chikunguru said.

He warned that excessive luggage placed pressure on bus wheels and increased the risk of breakdowns or tyre failures, adding that poorly secured baggage could also injure passengers.

"Other suitable vehicles can be used to ferry learners' luggage as a safety measure," he said.

The senior police officer also warned drivers against speeding, drunk driving and drug abuse, saying authorities would take decisive action against offenders.

"Let us avoid speeding. We want our children to arrive alive. They are our future leaders — reason to work for and our pride," he said.

Comm Chikunguru encouraged learners to report reckless drivers as well as individuals involved in drug abuse and other criminal activities.

"We have deployed a number of police officers along the roads to various destinations to enhance safety," he said.

Parents and guardians were also urged to ensure learners carried adequate food supplies and to caution children against accepting gifts from strangers.

The police chief further advised learners to avoid bullying, theft and sexual activity while at school.

He also appealed to driving instructors operating at the Square in Harare to create adequate space for school buses and private vehicles transporting learners during peak travel periods.

"We cannot expose our children to drivers operating under instructors," he said, adding that driving schools should consider suspending operations during busy school transport periods in the mornings and afternoons.