Minister urges traffic officers to enforce laws to curb accidents

According to Hara, traffic officers should continue confiscating motorcycles from cyclists who do not have licences, because once they come for their motorcycles, they receive some good lessons.

Malawi: Jacob Hara, Minister of Transport and Public Works, has asked traffic officials and police officers to ensure that the enforcement laws are followed as one method of preventing these accidents.

Hara said this during the commemoration of Africa Road Safety Day on December 3rd, 2022, in Mzuzu.

According to Hara, traffic officers should continue confiscating motorcycles from cyclists who do not have licences, because once they come for their motorcycles, they receive some good lessons and adhere to them.

He also urged the cyclists to attend school and learn about how things work.

According to Hara, bicycle taxis (locally known as kabaza) are responsible for 80 percent of the accidents that occur in Mzuzu (cyclists)

Hara said this during his visit to Mzuzu Central Hospital, where he met with patients involved in the accidents.

Andrew Sandula, Director of Road Traffic and Safety Services, urged cyclists to follow the rules of the road.

According to Sandula, it's sad to see how the number of accidents is increasing. In 2015, the number was 28, in 2021, the number was 144, and this year, from January to June, the number was 121.

Meanwhile, Sandula advised cyclists to attend school, obtain licences, and refrain from cycling late at night.

Thom Ngwira, Deputy Director of Mzuzu Central Hospital, described the situation as concerning. He agreed with the Minister that the hospital records 80 percent of accidents.

"It's a concerning situation at the hospital because we only have 16 beds designated for accident patients, but we receive more than 40 patients, which is not typical of a referral hospital," he explained.

According to Ngwira, the hospital does not have enough specialists.

This year's commemoration is Cyclists Adhere to Road Traffic Rules and Regulations or Else You'll End Up in the Hospital or Mortuary.