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In the next few days, the traditional migration of people from urban areas to their rural homes and tourist destinations across the country will begin as Christmas and New Year’s holidays approach.

As elsewhere in the Christian world, Zimbabwe will break for Christmas Day in recognition of the birth of Christ. It is the country’s longest and most widely celebrated holiday.

Thousands upon thousands of people travel to their rural homes to celebrate Christmas Day, while others travel to Victoria Falls, Kariba, the Eastern Highlands, Great Zimbabwe and other tourist centres for a time of relaxation and celebration.

It is during this period, that often officially begins 10 days before Christmas Day, ending in the second week of January the following year that business is at its briskest as people spend much money on good food, drink, new clothing, parties and various gifts.

During that time of the year, our roads are at their busiest too.

It is regrettable that because of the high volume of traffic on our roads, traffic accidents rise to their highest.

This is exacerbated by the fact that some of us would get over-excited, a mood that leads them to be reckless in whatever they would be doing.

This year, there was a risk that the customary drift of people to their rural homes or tourist resorts and the excitement that normally come with it would be affected by the prevailing shortage of petrol and diesel.

Many motorists are spending long hours on queues waiting to refuel their vehicles.

Some actually spend days there while others are no longer driving their vehicles to save themselves the trouble of queuing for fuel.

However, the announcement by the Government on Tuesday that measures were being put in place to ensure that there are adequate fuel supplies over the holiday period, should calm nerves.

Speaking after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said:

“Cabinet received a brief on the fuel supply situation in the country from the Minister of Energy and Power Development (Dr Joram Gumbo). Cabinet noted that although fuel supply challenges on the market were still persisting, the situation is gradually improving when compared to the previous week. Cabinet was also assured that financing arrangements are being put in place, on the basis of which the country will have adequate fuel supplies during the coming festive season.”

The country has been affected by fuel shortage since October.

This has been because of shortage of foreign currency to pay for the commodity.

Motorists should be happy that the Government has given the assurance that the fuel supply situation will have improved markedly, hopefully by mid next week.

This will enable them to fill up and drive to their rural homes or holiday destinations without fears that their vehicles might get empty of fuel with no chance of them refuelling as soon as they want.

They, however, will expect the fuel supply situation to continue to improve well beyond the festive period.

But as our people drive around, we implore them to do so in a responsible manner.

They must not speed; they must not drink alcohol and drive at the same time.

In addition, motorists need to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy before they embark on journeys.

They should observe other very important road rules and regulations so that accidents are minimised.

The country records the highest number of road accidents and fatalities during the December peak travelling period.

For example, more than 250 people died during last year’s festive season, according to figures from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.

Mindful of the foregoing, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Joel Biggie Matiza, recently has called on road users to exercise caution on the roads to reduce accidents during the festive season.

“We are once again in the festive season, a time for celebration of Christmas and New Year’s holidays,” he said in a statement.

“A time to visit friends and relatives throughout the country. A time also, for merry-making. I therefore, urge all our road users to use the roads carefully and observe road regulations. Zimbabwe is committed to the United Nations declared Decade of Action for Road Safety which envisages a reduction in road traffic deaths by 50 percent by 2020. Indeed we can reduce road deaths in Zimbabwe by 50 percent or even better, if we play our part. My expectation is that operators of public service vehicles will provide a safe and timeous service which should see everybody being transported to their destination safely. Operators are also strongly urged to desist from the habit of overworking their drivers resulting in failure to adhere to their timetables.”

We are pleased, as should every law-abiding citizen, that this year’s festive season travels begin just as police roadblocks are returning after about a year.

Their return will engender more discipline on the roads which can help reduce accidents.