In a news report titled “Pedestrians to be jailed”, The Herald, December 28, 2013, it is reported that the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is to launch a new Highway Code. This new code has provisions covering all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists unlike in the old code. It is reported that the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is to work with the police and local authorities to enforce the provisions. A breach of some of the provisions will attract heavy fines or jail.
The provisions include the following:-
- Pedestrians crossing the road whilst facing red traffic lights will pay a fine of $20 or face jail for up to six (6) months.
- Jaywalking. Crossing the road at undesignated places will attract a fine of $20 or a jail sentence of up to six (6) months.
- The Herald also reported that pedestrians would be required to walk on “pavements or suitable verge and if there was no pavement or suitable verge, pedestrians should walk on the right side of the road facing oncoming traffic.”
- Leaving young children on the road on their own. Prosecution.
- Stray animals. Owners to be prosecuted.
- Litter. Throwing litter through the window of a motor vehicle. Prosecution.
- Hanging onto a moving motor vehicle. Heavy fines or jail.
- Crash helmet and reflective clothing. The Herald reported that it is to be made “mandatory for both pedal cyclists and motorcyclists to wear a crash helmet and appropriate reflective clothing”.
- Load limits for cyclists. Maximum weight of 40kg. Not “projecting more than 60 centimeters in front and more than 90 centimeters at the rear of the wheel.”
- Use of mobile phones by pedestrians. Pedestrians are to avoid “unnecessary distraction, including use of mobile phones whenever crossing or walking along the road”.
Source:
“Pedestrians to be jailed”, The Herald, 28 December 2013, viewed 28 December 2013, http://www.herald.co.zw/pedestrians-to-be-jailed/
