Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have issued a stern warning against pedestrians who use their mobile phones, earphones, and headphones while crossing roads in the cities, cautioning that these digital distractions are driving a surge in traffic accidents.
Inspector Nomalanga Msebele issued the warning while addressing the public in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, during an awareness campaign.
She said ZRP records up to five accidents daily linked to devices use.
Msebele went on to say these incidents often involve pedestrians being struck by vehicles while taking or making phone calls. She highlighted that pedestrians using earphones often fail to hear warning signals from motorists and cyclists.
The ZRP inspector explained that the initiative aims to save lives and protect property in line with constitutional mandate.
She noted that while the current focus is on public education, authorities are prepared to arrest offenders and impose $30 fines to those endangering themselves and others.
“We are seeing a problematic rise of pedestrians getting hit by cars because they are wearing earphones. They cannot hear when motorists and cyclists are signalling at them because they are listening to music. We are having four to five accidents a day,” said Msebele.
She added: “We end up arresting drivers for hitting people with their vehicles, but in most cases it is the pedestrians who are at fault because they are distracted by their mobile devices.
“As the police, we will arrest people who use earphones because we cannot have a city (Bulawayo) with people who get into traffic accidents daily. Human lives and property are affected; our constitutional mandate is to take care of life and property. Walking around with earphones in your ears can get you can get you injured.”
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