Ayesha Nyanzunda
Fatal road accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol dominated discussions in Parliament yesterday, with lawmakers pressing the Government on measures to improve traffic enforcement.
Masvingo Proportional Representative Parliamentarian Tendeukai Matara directed a question to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs asking what steps the Government was taking to ensure police officers are equipped with breathalysers to detect intoxicated drivers.
Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, responded that while breathalysers have been useful, the Government is exploring modern technology to reduce accidents.
“The thinking within Government is that breathalysers may not be the solution. We are moving towards an integrated traffic management system that will take away the human interface,” he explained.
The system, he said, would provide a permanent record of traffic violations, reducing opportunities for bias or leniency.
Some MPs, including Hon. Hwende, questioned how cameras could detect intoxication.
Ziyambi clarified, “Alcohol does not kill anyone, but driving illegally kills. When a camera captures such a person, that person should be dealt with accordingly.”
Matara pressed on the urgency of implementing the system, given the rising number of accidents linked to drunk driving. The minister revealed that a pilot project is underway in collaboration with Net-One, with public naming of traffic violators already taking place in some areas. He said the system would be fully rolled out once resources allow.
Other MPs, including Zengeza West, and Chikomba East legislator’s Innocent Zvaipa and Felix Mhona, highlighted that the focus should be on drivers violating traffic laws, whether under the influence of alcohol or driving dangerously.
“The law is meant to prosecute those who commit offences,” said Mhona, emphasizing that reckless driving, regardless of sobriety, can result in fatal accidents.
Parliament’s discussion underscores a growing push for modern, technology-driven traffic enforcement to combat road accidents, particularly those caused by drunk and reckless driving
