Drivers must exercise due diligence on roads, says...

Drivers must exercise due diligence on roads, says PAZ

Demand for transport rose during the holiday period

Bridget Mabanda

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe has acknowledged positive conduct by public transporters under the Zimbabwe Transport Operators Association banner by responsibly not hiking long distance fares during the business peak festive season.

Usually during holidays, there is high demand for transport and passengers will be desperate for it.

In statement, PAZ president Tafadzwa Goliati said his organisation has been lobbying against the practice in pursuit of its mission for a conducive travelling environment for a public transport user.

He also said the Zimbabwe Republic Police played a pivotal role during the festive season.

“It is also gratifying to observe that there have been no major road traffic accidents during the said period.

“As the traffic boon is expected with people returning to their areas, PAZ reiterates the need for due diligence by drivers for both long and short distances, observing of traffic regulations, ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy and patience on the roads,” he said.

Goliati said drivers should consider their lives, that of their families whose needs will be neglected once life of the breadwinner is lost through negligent driving.

Meanwhile, he is urging the public to stick to registered public transport to safeguard their security, especially in the wake of skyrocketing cases of commuting public being victims of robberies as they use pirate taxis, especially in Harare.

“It is in this light that PAZ urges the powers that be as well as private organisations to join hands in addressing the immense shortage of public transport in Harare and surrounding areas mainly, which leave the public at the mercy of 'charlatan' transporters,” he said.

Transport crises is mainly witnessed in the night with workers who have late shifts such as hotel, fast foods, hospital workers and other essential services among others, including those in the informal sectors being main victims of robberies at night as there will be no guaranteed public transport in the case that employers do not having alternative transport plans.