06/11/2025
Dear Harare Motorists. I could have said Zimbabwean but then it’s prevalent in Harare.
I’ve always pleaded with you to drive cautiously, avoid speeding, and be patient on the road. Thats how we can reduce accidents on the road.
Now the rains have come. We will see more accidents and here’s why:
❗️Tyres are wearing out. If you just walk around a parking lot you’ll see some of the tyres on cars.
❗️Wipers are worn out. Because people barely use wipers in the dry season, they might forget replacing them.
❗️Dysfunctional airconditioning system. Most cars are driven with open windows, aircon servicing isn’t a popular expense. But the aircon helps in clearing the windscreen.
❗️Blurry vision. Because of worn wipers and dysfunctional aircons, drivers have a blurry vision.
❗️Slippery roads. There’s something called hydroplaning, where there’s a thin layer of water underneath the tyres as you drive. If you try braking, you may fail to get the reaction you need from the car. You can also slip from the road.
❗️Potholes. Some potholes may be covered by water and you won’t see them until you get into them. Hitting potholes at high speeds poses a danger on the road.
The last thing. Everyone wants to get home quick, so in the end, everyone gets home slowly because roads will jam. Cars don’t fatten when it rains, but the density of transport in a given period of time increases. Coupled with sometimes uncontrolled intersections, it just gets worse.
Be patient on the road. Your home is always going to be there. Don’t weave through traffic, don’t open third lanes, don’t take risk when overtaking.
Common sense is not taught at driving schools.
Reduce road carnage. Drive to arrive alive.
