The government is set to introduce drug and alcohol testing for motorists and GPS tracking for public service vehicles as part of a crackdown on traffic violations and road accidents.
Public transport drivers will face random roadside tests for substances that impair judgement, while buses and commuter omnibuses will be fitted with GPS devices to monitor routes, speed, and driver behaviour in real time.
Officials say the dual approach will deter reckless driving and enable swift action when safety standards are breached.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) managing director Munesu Munodawafa commended the decision by the police to reintroduce breathalysers. Said Munodawafa:
“We will assist and provide some to the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) and our budget will support the rollout.
“I know they are working on something on their own, and I am sure at the right time they will make a statement to that effect.
“As the Traffic Safety Council, we have clear instructions from our minister that we need to support that initiative to the extent that our budget can support.
“The third thing that I am almost definite about is that there will be a full deployment of breathalysers.
“Because from the little information we have, we think that is coming again in the next few weeks.”
Munodawafa added that the government is trialling roadside drug-testing kits in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. He said:
“When you look at some of the recklessness on the roads, you wonder whether it is just alcohol.
“We also commend Government’s initiative to broaden the substances for which one can be checked on the roads.
“I know for certain the Government chief analyst in the Ministry of Health (and Child Care) is piloting some technology which tests drugs.
“Because, when you look at some of the recklessness, you wonder whether it is just alcohol.
“So, this takes us to the point where we believe we need to go all out and random tests be done on public service vehicle drivers.
“This will ensure that anybody who drives a public service vehicle is not intoxicated neither by alcohol nor by anything else.”
Munodawafa also revealed that authorities plan to fully deploy the electronic traffic management system and expand satellite tracking of public service vehicles.
GPS monitoring will allow transport regulators to track buses in real time, ensuring they follow approved routes, observe speed limits, and avoid risky behaviour such as speeding on highways.
Violations will trigger instant alerts to enforcement officers, enabling swift intervention before accidents occur. He said:
“By year-end, we expect the electronic traffic management system to move beyond proof of concept to full rollout.
“The same applies to the satellite tracking of buses, which will soon be fully functional.
“Authorities are also considering the deployment of patrol vehicles equipped with advanced monitoring technology to detect traffic offences.”
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