The Government is increasing its procurement of breathalysers for use at roadblocks in an effort to tackle the growing number of accidents linked to reckless and drunk driving, according to a Cabinet Minister.
A breathalyser is a device used to measure the alcohol content in a person’s breath, enabling law enforcement officers to assess whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol.
When a person exhales into the device, it estimates their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) based on the alcohol detected in their breath.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by David Jana at the 9th Road Safety Journalistic Awards ceremony in Harare last week, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said that increasing the use of breathalysers is a key strategy to address the rising number of accidents caused by impaired driving. He said:
I would also want to advise you that the Ministry of Home Affairs, in partnership with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), is procuring breathalysers to use at roadblocks to combat the rising number of accidents caused by impaired driving.
These devices will be used at police roadblocks as part of an intensified road safety mechanism to curb reckless and drunk driving. May it be noted that more breathalysers are being procured to ensure these measures are widely implemented.
I urge you all to actively support these efforts by reporting reckless driving and following traffic regulations. We must also take responsibility as citizens. If you witness dangerous behaviour on the roads, report it immediately.
Mhona said the road traffic accident statistics for 2023 and 2024 paint a concerning picture of road safety in Zimbabwe.
In 2023, there were 2,099 fatalities and 9,955 injuries resulting from 51,924 recorded road accidents.
In 2024, the numbers were slightly lower, with 2,015 deaths and 10,074 injuries from 52,288 accidents.
More: The Herald
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