COMMUTERS have welcomed the Government’s decision to install speed limiting devices which limit the speed on buses, commuter omnibuses and trucks to 100km/h.
The decision comes after public vehicles are being involved in accidents and killing people.
According to Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023, all public service vehicles should be fitted with speed limiting and monitoring devices to ensure speeding by drivers is avoided.
In an interview with H-Metro, Transport and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary, Theodius Chinyanga, said the installation of speed limiting devices will go a long way in controlling speeding.
He also said an analysis by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe on the causes of road traffic accidents showed that the main cause of fatalities was speeding, which accounts for 37 percent of fatalities.
“About 92 percent of the established causes were due to human error, especially speeding,” he said.
“Likewise, the National Road Safety Indaba that was held in January resolved to regulate Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) speed to a maximum of 100km/h.
“The PSVs must be fitted with speed monitors and speed limiters so that they do not exceed this prescribed speed limit to ensure improved road safety.”
“This SI is meant to protect ordinary citizens, that is commuters and other road users,” he said.
“Over the years, the Government has rehabilitated major highways such Harare-Beitbridge, Plumtree-Mutare, but an unintended consequence of this development has been speeding by drivers on the good roads.
Therefore, speed regulation is an important strategy in improving the country’s road safety performance and saving lives.”
Chinyanga said under Section 5 of SI 188 of 2023, owners, operators and drivers who do not comply will be liable to a fine.
“Owners, operators and drivers not complying will be liable to a fine not exceeding Level 5, or to a period of imprisonment not exceeding six months or both fine and imprisonment,” he said.
“At the current standard scale of fines provided for in SI 14A of 2023, Level 5 fine is US$200.
“To ensure compliance with the new SI 188 of 2023, the Ministry will not licence PSVs to operate without speed limiting and monitoring devices.
“These vehicles will not be issued with certificates of fitness by the Vehicle Inspectorate Department and will not be issued route permits by the Road Motor Transportation Division.”
Commuters said the new decision will go a long in ensuring that lives are not lost on the roads.
“We welcome the latest developments because many lives have been lost on the roads due to drivers who love to speed on the roads while carrying people,” said Prince Matewe.
“As a nation, we cannot tolerate people who go over the speed limit and who race while carrying people. We hope that those who do not comply will be jailed.”
