Dear Minister Obert Mpofu, This message is addressed to Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Obert Mpofu, the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), Zimbabwe Traffic Safety Board (ZTSB), Newspaper Editors, producers at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, vehicle insurance companies, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and all road users in general.
On the dark Tuesday night of April 15 2014, I lost my beloved son, Shingirayi Michael Mupeti who perished with four others needlessly in a road traffic accident at Mazowe Veterinary Training Institute on the Harare-Bindura road.
Five young men who could have served their families and country very well died in an accident which by all accounts was not supposed to happen.
The cause was attributed to reckless driving, overtaking at night on a blind rise with clear markings prohibiting overtaking and also, according to newspaper reports, this offending vehicle had no lights at the time of the accident.
Night driving Over the 20 something years I have driven on our national roads, I have witnessed a general decline in our standards of driving, and night driving to say the least is atrocious.
There is no courtesy on our roads and apparently only fools dim their lights.
From observing our night drivers, it is apparent that there are no lessons which are being conducted on night driving.
Our drivers actually think that flashing the right indicator without dimming their lights is all that is required of them.
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It was actually the old articulated trucks which, despite being wide-bodied, had lights at the centre and would indicate to show their full breadth.
The flashing of the right indicator has actually become dangerous as at times they result in misinterpretation of intent. It should be mandatory that all prospective drivers, before their road tests, produce evidence that they have had at least four night-driving lessons.
The VID and the ZTSB can assist in this regard.
Seat belts It should be mandatory that in all vehicles with seat belts fitted on back seats, these belts should be put on to protect the passengers.
My own observation of the vehicle wreckage in which my son perished is that perhaps if the passengers at the back were wearing seat belts, maybe some of them would have survived.
It is only wishful thinking, but I believe the Minister of Transport can avert further anguish on road users by gazzeting that in all vehicles fitted with rear seat belts, these belts should be used.
Public awareness There is forensic analysis that is carried out by the ZRP, the VID and insurance companies after all traffic accidents.
I wish to propose that these evaluations be made public through television programmes and newspapers where the public can learn the causes of the accident, culpability in the accident and what could have been done to avoid such an accident.
We could have panelists from the ZRP Traffic Section, ZTSB, VID and insurance companies discussing and reviewing these accidents for the benefit of the motoring public.
Insurance companies can step in and step up by sponsoring these programmes.
Legal experts can also be roped in to look at issues of entitlement as an example because many a time, the common man is getting a raw deal after losing loved ones and bread-winners in such tragic circumstances.
Others could also be made aware of the Road Traffic Act and its provisions in such programmes and articles to improve awareness and reduce the bad behaviour and wanton disregard of life that we are currently witnessing on our roads.
Hunhu/ubuntu Last, to the general public, I wish to ask: Hunhu hwedu hwakaendepi? (Where has our humanity gone to? )
If your vehicle is involved in a fatal accident, it is polite and courteous to express your sorrow to the families of the deceased. Paying condolences (kubata maoko) is important in providing healing to the grieving families.
That disregard for human life creates confusion and animosity in those who are seeking to be consoled.
At the end, in our traditions, the bereaved families end up believing that either you are a Satanist or wakachekeresa (caused the death) our beloved relatives.
People are not usually after money, but that healing value that comes from kind words and the genuine sorrow on your part. I am yet to hear from the driver and the owner of the vehicle that caused the death of my son.
Mwari wakuitirei nyasha. May all the souls of our dearly beloved relatives rest in eternal peace of the Lord For you Michael I will persist, Patrick Mupeti
