By Desire Tshuma
Mazowe – Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Hon Adv F.T. Mhona, has warned that human error is fuelling Zimbabwe’s road carnage, with up to 94 percent of road crashes attributed to inappropriate decisions by road users.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Heroes and Defence Forces Road Safety Enforcement and Educational Awareness Campaign at Prevail Mart in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central, on August 7, Mhona said road safety remained a national priority requiring greater responsibility from motorists, passengers and pedestrians.
“This year, we commemorate under the theme, ‘Be patient or you could end up a patient in hospital.’ Our theme this time around was informed by the disturbing fact that up to 94% of road crashes on our roads in Zimbabwe are a direct result of inappropriate human decisions,” he said.
The minister said current trends showed that a road crash occurred approximately every 15 minutes, resulting in an average of five deaths and about 38 injuries every day. He said road crashes traditionally increased during holiday periods, largely due to human error and irresponsible behaviour.
“Historically, there is an increase in traffic crashes during holiday periods, with most attributed to human error, which effectively means the crash could have been avoided had at least one person behaved differently,” Mhona said.
He urged motorists to desist from speeding, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, using mobile phones while driving and driving while fatigued. Mhona also called on motorists to wear seat belts, obey traffic signs and ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy.
He said road crashes were not only claiming lives but were also imposing a huge economic burden on the country, with crashes estimated to cost Zimbabwe about US$400 million annually. The minister said Government remained committed to implementing policies and programmes aimed at improving road safety, saving lives and supporting sustainable national development.
Mhona said safer roads were critical to the achievement of Vision 2030, as they facilitate trade, tourism, agriculture, mining, education and investment. He commended the commissioning and full utilisation of the Smart Traffic Management System, saying the technology would strengthen enforcement and improve authorities’ ability to deal with traffic violations. He said the system would help discourage speeding, improve compliance with traffic laws and promote accountability among motorists.
The minister further commended the joint road safety campaign involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Vehicle Inspection Department and Road Motor Transportation Department. He said cooperation among institutions was vital in creating safer roads and reducing preventable deaths.
Mhona said the Traffic Safety Council was implementing various interventions, including road safety education, defensive driving training, public awareness programmes, school road safety initiatives, research and stakeholder engagement. He said Zimbabwe should aim to reduce road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths by 50 percent by 2030, describing the target as achievable through collective action.
The minister also called for greater collaboration among Government institutions, local authorities, law enforcement agencies, the private sector and communities. He urged passengers to speak up whenever drivers were speeding or driving recklessly.
“To the passengers, you are your own liberators. Never stay silent when a driver is speeding, driving recklessly, or breaking traffic laws. Your voice, raised at the right time, can save lives,” he said.
Mhona also raised concern over pedestrian safety, revealing that there had been a 63 percent increase in pedestrians killed in road crashes during the last public holiday. He urged pedestrians to remain vigilant, use designated pedestrian paths and avoid distractions such as mobile phones, headphones and earphones.
He said the campaign was ultimately aimed at ensuring that families could travel safely and return home to their loved ones. The minister urged all road users to exercise patience and responsibility, warning that reckless decisions on the roads could have fatal consequences.