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Esinathy Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
THE Traffic Safety of Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) has urged motorists to be more vigilant to avoid accidents during the rainy season starting next month.

The roads are more slippery and visibility is often poor, causing a sharp increase in the number of traffic accidents.

The TSCZ has begun conducting road safety campaigns ahead of the rainy season.

In a statement, the TSCZ outlined safety precautions to be followed by drivers when it is raining.

“Driving in the rain can cause road crashes. Drivers must know that the first rains are the most dangerous on our roads as they mix with oils spilled by vehicles. This mixture makes roads slippery,” said the TSCZ.

The council said more than 90 percent of all fatal road crashes in Zimbabwe are due to driver errors like speeding.

In Zimbabwe, about five people are killed on our roads every day, while approximately 38 persons are injured. These road traffic accidents also cause immense property damage thereby impacting negatively on people’s lives and the entire economy.

Recently, Government commended the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) for continuously conducting road safety campaigns and driver improvement programmes that engender a culture of responsible driving to reduce road carnage.

They said it was pleasing to note that TSCZ had relentlessly sought to improve the country’s driving standards.

Meanwhile, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) said as the rainy season is approaching, they have come up with strategies to conduct nationwide awareness campaigns on risk prevention during the season.

CPU deputy director Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said the unit will educate and raise awareness through campaigns and nationwide programmes as usual, on disaster preparedness and management.

According to the Meteorological Services Department’s predictions, Zimbabwe is set to receive normal rains in the 2017/18 season, but they will be coming late.

The rainfall patterns will be divided into two sub-seasons — October to December 2017 and January to March 2018.

The report shows that region two, which includes the greater part of Matabeleland North, parts of Midlands and parts of Mashonaland West have an increased chance of normal to below normal rainfall.

Region three, Masvingo, the bulk of Midlands, the extreme southern parts of Manicaland and the bulk of Matabeleland have an increased chance of normal to below normal rainfall.

Harare, much of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, north-eastern parts of Midlands, most of Manicaland have an increased chance of above normal rainfall. — @esinathy_essira