Texting while driving kills and hurts the economy

These are sobering statistics. These deaths of our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers are preventable. Everyone who uses his/her phone while driving is a potential contributor to this carnage.

According to research, high on the common causes of accidents are drivers who are distracted because they are texting, talking on the phone or eating. This is shocking behaviour. Phones have somehow turned into indispensable gadgets but have devastating consequences on driving.

But we all can do something about it. Are you prepared to be a change agent? The change begins with you and it begins with me. Stop using your phone while driving.

On a rainy Monday last week, on my way home, l was one of the first people to arrive at an accident scene where a young lady had skidded off the slippery road. She said she had been trying to call her mother when this happened. I helped her alert her mother about the accident. The parents and the young lady were grateful for my small intervention. I told the young lady that the only form of gratitude l would accept was her promise that she would never ever use her phone while driving. She agreed.

In Zimbabwe it is illegal to text and phone while driving and yet almost every driver on our roads does it. A breach of this law actually attracts a level five penalty or a fine, or both. Most of the time the police are nowhere to be seen to enforce this law and, on the few occasions they stop a driver for this, they are quickly given a bribe and walk away. This is common police behaviour whenever they catch a motorist breaching the Highway Code.

Many motorists seem to think seat belts are optional for themselves and their children. It is not a sign of love to have children in the front seat, on your lap or standing in between seats. Children should be in the back seat with their seat belts properly fastened.

There is a whole lot that is wrong with our country and we are all responsible by our acts of commission or omission. A big part of rebuilding our society will have to start at the family level. What parents tolerate in their homes, their children will take out into the world. The young lady’s parents agreed that a strong message about not driving while on the phone was appropriate.

We need heavy penalties for road infringements and a professional police force. Unlicensed drivers and all defective vehicles must be taken off our roads.

But in all this, where are the politicians? This is a serious campaign issue that MPs should articulate and ensure is sorted out. Recently we have seen a commonality of purpose regarding drugs and substance abuse; that should be the same approach to bad behaviour on the roads.

In Conversation with Dr. Ethel Mupambwa

Gokwe Yazviita Zvekare! (Gokwe has done it again!). She grew up in a polygamous family in the dusty streets of Nembudziya Gokwe. Her Father’s Shops were written Chiwara Stores and Sons and from a very young age she always wondered why his daughters were not mentioned or celebrated as well and that’s when she realised she had to fight her way to the top to prove that girls could also excel. Dr Ethel Mupambwa,CEO of Money Mart Finance takes us through her journey of humble beginnings as the best cleaner at Wimpy first Street to a mover and shaker in the finance world as she empowers women and young people in different communities. Watch her episode here…

Audience Response

From the Dr. Ethel Mupambwa episode, our community had this to say:

Anesu Mudiwa

Very lively and motivating.
Keep going Money Mart.
I loved the “Dont arrive too early”.

Shepard Tapiwa Musendo

What an inspiring story. Have to watch this twice.

Kuda Tamayi

Nice to see a schoolmate doing above average in a country with an economy like ours. Keep it up Ethel!

Coming Next: In Conversation with Robert Chapman

Don’t miss the next episode with Presidential Candidate for Democratic Union of Zimbabwe Robert Chapman In Conversation with Trevor.

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• Langelihle Sibanda, Former Miss Universe Zimbabwe & Entrepreneur.
• Ciaran McSharry, Managing Director, First Capital Bank.

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