SYDNEY MUBAIWA
HARARE- Masvingo MP, Naledi Maunganidze has urged the government to prioritise the use breathalysers by police on roadblocks to curb drinking and driving.
The legislator made the call on Tuesday last week stressing the need to enforce strict regulations to reduce preventable road traffic accidents.
Maunganidze’s call comes at a time when preventable road traffic accidents caused by human error continue to claim lives of road users across the country.
“We urge government to prioritise the use of breathalysers to be used by law enforcement agents on roadblocks to curb drinking and driving.
“Breathalyser testing not only act as a preventative measure but also empowers our law enforcement agents to carry out their duties effectively.
“In addition, we suggest that, there should be an automatic withdrawal of the driver’s licence if the offence is repeated by the offender.
“Furthermore, we suggest that all vehicles should have automated speed limits to avoid overspeeding,” she said.
She urged the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development to procure the gadgets as a matter of urgency to curb drinking and driving.
She said innocent lives are lost in roads as a result of accidents.
“By enforcing stiffer laws and implementing preventative measures, we can protect our citizens and create a safer environment for road users,” she added.
The parliamentarian’s remarks comes at a time when the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe recently opened tenders for the supply of breatherlysers to be used on the country’s roads to reduce accidents.
Last year, 2 015 people died in road traffic accidents with some of the causes including drinking and driving and negligence.
