Police will deploy some officers onto major highways this festive season with breathalyser machines so as to arrest motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol and other drugs to reduce accidents.
Some breathalysers will be acquired so that more police officers will be equipped on the road.
The development comes as 24 people had been killed in accidents across the country as of Tuesday this week.
In an interview, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they have since set up monitoring teams, made up of other relevant stakeholders, to curb road accidents.
“The issue of policing on the road with specific reference to breathalyser machines or breath analysis machines, it is work in progress, in which the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has also been taken on board.
“We are waiting for the necessary resources. Currently we have got a few breathalyser machines which are working and I will not give the specifics on how they are going to be deployed,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said besides the TSCZ, they also have the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ), which has availed some resources for the purchase of additional breathalyser machines.
“So definitely it is work in progress.
“We also have the Ministry of Health and Child Care, who are also working with the police so that some errant drivers can be taken to the ministry’s facilities to be tested.
“So definitely, we are going to take action against any driver who is going to be found driving under the influence of alcohol or drug substance,” he said.
In March this year, the ICZ donated breathalysers and other traffic equipment worth US$82 000 to police to use in curbing road accidents.
In assisting police to carry out its traffic law enforcement tasks, the ICZ had to donate roadblock equipment comprising of 100 drums and 200 cones to help them with visibility of roadblocks.
The organisation also donated 28 breathalysers following a rise in cases of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.
Last week, police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga said they had adequately deployed enough human resources to ensure law and order on the roads and residential areas. – The Herald
