The Sunday Mail
Extra Reporter —
The Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) is yet to include the new Highway Code in its training curricula and may only be able to complete the implementation process by 2025, it has emerged.
This follows the recent launch of the new Highway Code which include new signage and road markings by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), in line with SADC requirements.
Although the code has already been in use since 2016, VID’s chief inspector, Mr Joseph Pedzapasi, said the department has no immediate plans to change the learner’s licence test and the driver’s test since the new traffic infrastructure and road signs are yet to be put up.
“We have not yet started implementing the new regulations because the road signs are still very few, if you look around Harare and other towns, you will realise that there are no or few signs erected,” he said.
“It is a process, a very long process and we are only required to complete the full implementation by 2025 although our aim is to do it in the shortest period of time possible. We may start at town level going up depending on who would have made progress and we will take it from there.”
The Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) said surveys carried out in Harare showed that some drivers, including driving school instructors, are not yet aware of the new rules.
He however applauded the development.
“It is a very good development and we applaud it because it will improve safety on our roads,” said PAZ president Tafadzwa Goliati.
“But the main challenge now is that our surveys showed that most drives and instructors do not know about the new signs and regulations yet so the new regulations may not have the desired effects.
“For example, the box junction requires that vehicles must not enter the box when the way is blocked and cannot proceed clearly. It was designed to avoid congestion but it is not working because people do not know its purpose.”
Mr Goliati added that new infrastructure should be put in place as soon as possible to avoid confusion. TSCZ spokesperson, Mr Ernest Muchena, said the code has already been in use since last year.
“The new Highway Code is already in use, it took effect in 2016, and it is only the launch which was done recently so people should not confuse issues there,” he said.
“Yes, the driving schools are already using it, it is only that people confused the launch as the introduction of completely new rules and regulations.”
The new code conforms to the harmonisation of road signs in the SADC regions in order to help international drivers navigate easily.
