Union for Development of the Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa (UDACIZA) and Traffic Safety Council has trained at least 352 Vapostori bishops on road safety in a bid to reduce road accidents that continue to claim the lives of many.
Speaking in an interview recently after a march meant to sensitize members of the public to travel safely ahead of the Easter holiday, the secretary general of UDACIZA, Reverend Edison Tsvakai said road accidents are claiming a lot of people including their members especially on holiday.
The campaign which is going to spread to all the 10 provinces of the country began yesterday with a march that started at Africa Unity Square at 9 am and ended at the Harare City Sports Center.
“Together with the Traffic Safety Council, we managed to train 150 and 202 bishops in southern and northern regions respectively. We were mainly focusing on accidents, especially in the apostolic churches, because we saw an increase of accidents affecting our members going to conferences.
“We saw it fit for churches to help us reduce deaths caused by road accidents,” Rev Tsvakai said.
According to the United Nations World Health statistics report, road crashes are among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. As the number of vehicles increases, particularly in developing countries, experts say road crashes will become one of the top 5 causes of death.
As of 2012, the report said road crashes is the 13th leading cause of death in Zimbabwe.
The board chairman of Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Nelson Mahwema, said they aim to reduce road deaths to zero.
Celebrated gospel musician Olivia Charamba, who is the Ambassador of the Traffic Safety Council in Harare, said people should pray before travelling.
At least 39 people died between December 15 and December 24 last year, though the entire festive period through January 15 saw 147 deaths.
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