ZRP Pushes for Night Driving Law as Road Deaths Mount

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is calling on lawmakers to introduce legislation restricting night travel for public transport operators, following a fatal crash along the Karoi–Binga Road that killed four people on Sunday evening.

ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi warned that Zimbabwe’s worsening winter road conditions and poor visibility at night have become a deadly combination — yet there is still no legal restriction in place to curb night-time public transport travel.

“Parliament must act now to restrict night travel by public service vehicles — lives are being lost because we have no legal power to stop the danger,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

The ZRP’s appeal comes as the Be Road Safe Zimbabwe 2025 campaign was launched in Harare on Tuesday, drawing participation from transport officials, law enforcement and civil society.

The initiative aims to increase public awareness and reduce risky driving behaviour that contributes to the country’s rising traffic fatality rate.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Honourable Joshua Sacco, underscored the government’s alignment with global road safety targets, saying Zimbabwe is determined to cut traffic deaths in half by 2030 in line with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.

“Cutting road deaths by 50 percent by 2030 is not just a target — it’s a national priority embedded in our development strategy and aligned with global commitments,” said Sacco.

He said the government is rolling out technology-driven interventions — like an electronic traffic management system and increased roadside breath-testing — to crack down on reckless driving and restore order on the roads.

“This isn’t just policy — it’s a lifeline. We’ve backed it in our National Development Strategy 1 and we’re determined to make it count,” he added.

Statistics from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe show that nearly 2,000 people die on the country’s roads annually.

According to ZBC, growing public support for restrictions on nighttime transport services has been noted, especially following frequent crashes involving long-distance buses and commuter omnibuses in hazardous conditions.

With lives being lost under the cloak of night, ZRP’s appeal is more than a policy plea — it’s a national wake-up call.