14 measures to put an end to the blood-bath on Mozambique’s roads – O País

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14 measures to put an end to the blood-bath on Mozambique’s roads – O País

1:12 CAT | 29 Jul 2022

Photo: O País

The government will review speed limits as part of measures to reduce road accidents. Apart from the 14 measures announced yesterday, the Transport Ministry is working on a proposal to revise the Highway Code and increase traffic penalties.

The 14 road safety measures announced on Thursday take effect immediately. In general, they comprise better enforcement of traffic rules, but there are some in particular that change life on the roads.

For example, one of the biggest culprits is speeding. To address this, one measure is to “revisit speed limits and improve road signage, giving priority to already-mapped critical points (“black spots”) and remove fixed obstacles on the sides of the public road”, Ministry of Transport spokesman Ambrósio Sitoe explained.

READ: Mozambique: Road accidents claim lives of 434 people in H1 2022

Another measure is the “ban on the new licensing of inter-district transport for 15-seater vehicles over distances greater than 100 kilometres and limit to two the renewals for the already licensed vehicles”. That is, those who operate “chapas” with a licence have until 2024 to either buy new vehicles or limit circulation to within cities.

In addition, offenders involved in road accidents involving serious negligence that result in death will be immediately arrested, along with those involved in irregular overtaking, driving under the influence of alcohol, travelling more than 20 km/h faster than the speed limit and other offences.

Various documents are now liable to be seized. “Revocation of driving licence of transgressors who commit medium and serious misdemeanours, under the terms provided for by law; seizure of the identification document of the vehicle found circulating without offering the security conditions required under the law; immediate reintroduction of alcohol testing while driving and zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” are among the offences mentioned.

READ: Mozambique: Drivers who cause fatal accidents to be arrested immediately

As a long-term measure, “the review of the Highway Code, Regulations for Transport in motor vehicles and trailers(RTA) and other legislation is underway, with a view to aggravating penalties in road traffic and reorganising the licensing of transport activity” is being considered.

Prior to entering into force, the proposal announced by the Ministry of Transport must be harmonised and submitted for approval by the Council of Ministers, which may forward it to the Assembly of the Republic, the body with the competence to approve any change in the Highway Code.

The measures being considered were all designed by a scientific road safety commission, which includes various institutions involved in mobility, including civil society.

By Afonso Chavo

Source: O País