Festive season crime, road traffic awareness

18 Dec, 2020 - 10:12 0 Views
Festive season crime, road traffic awareness Prevalent incidents that characterise the festive season have always been road traffic accidents, robberies in their threefold nature — armed, other weapons or plain, unlawful entry and thefts.

The ManicaPost

THERE are tale-tell signs of rising excitement as the festive season approaches. As usual everyone is deeply engrossed in putting pieces together so as to be certain that the Christmas and New Year celebrations are enjoyable.

It is, however, the norm that as we march forward in this direction, we often forget to be watchful of our rearguard and allow criminals to hit us hard when we least expect it.

For the year 2020 festive season, it is vital that we start-off with our best foot forward. Both police officers and the public must work in unison to keep criminals at bay.

It has been noted over time that the proliferation of crime is usually encouraged by the tendency to ignore key preventive measures and the adoption of a lacklustre responsive action each time crime rears its ugly head.

The most prevalent incidents that characterise the festive season have always been road traffic accidents, robberies in their threefold nature (armed, other weapons or plain), unlawful entry and thefts.

A few figures can help shed light on where we stand each festive period. For the month of December 2019, Manicaland Province recorded a total of 226 road traffic accidents in which 16 people died and 76 were injured.

The same month recorded 21 cases of robbery, 414 unlawful entry, 105 stock theft, 842 theft and 569 cases of assault.

The previous year 2018 recorded 232 road traffic accidents in which 19 people died, while 66 were injured.

The month also recorded 29 cases of robbery, 346 unlawful entry, 90 stock theft, 740 theft and 596 cases of assault.

It has been our position that the figures even where we record reductions remain uncomfortably high particularly in the case of road traffic accidents where we continue to lose human life.

Our stance is one life lost is one too many.

In order to preserve the state of sanity that is currently prevailing on our roads, the police, motorists, transporters (crew and operators) as well as the commuting public need to find each other in this cause.

This is the time owners should ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and fit to ferry human life and goods.

Drivers should learn to accept driving vehicles that meet safety requirements and conform to the general laws of the country, but above all they need to appreciate that once they are behind the wheel, responsibility for the safety of other road users lies with them.

It is incumbent upon drivers to maintain high levels of sobriety, absolute vigilance and to resist the tendency to speed and taking of conscious risks.

By exercising caution and responsible use of the road, we exorcise complacency and hostile driving conduct. Passengers must never spur drivers to speed or drive against hazards such as flooded bridges or rivers and bad weather.

We sound the call again for drivers to rest and freshen up once fatigue begins to creep in.  A little patience and tolerance can certainly go a long way in making our highways safe passages to our various destinations.

For this week we bring to you contact details for our traffic stations in Manicaland Province.

The Officer-in-Charge Mutare Traffic is Chief Inspector Machuwaire contactable on (02020-64392/ 0773 265 331).

The Charge Office number which is open 24 hours is 02020-64392.

Mutare Rural Traffic section: Assistant Inspector Mutake 02020-64545/0772 257 819.

Rusape Traffic Officer-in-Charge, Assistant Inspector Mangwendeza 0225205-1400/0772 891 058. Charge Office 0225205-1400.

Nyanga Traffic, Inspector Masvongo 0262098-600/0773 097 728, Chipinge Traffic, Inspector Matanga (027204-2266/0773 503 631).

Let us all remember the old adages that have helped us remain alive to safety precautions. Speed thrills, but it kills.

Let us drive to arrive alive, a moment’s inattention can cost lives.

Preventing crime is everyone’s responsibility.

ZRP Manicaland Press and Public Relations

Share This:

Sponsored Links

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds