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The Ginimbi Thread: as a father the accident has really shaken & haunted me. Those kids could easily have been my own. If we don't learn the lessons we don't save lives. This is not a recrimination but my own take on what we MUST learn & fast before we are back here again..
1. Drink driving: it is normal in Zim. I grew up around it, both grown ups & peers did it. It's too much of a norm. In UK it's not only a crime but something frowned upon. We must change this culture & speak up against it. In the videos the driver has a flute almost all the time.
2. Seat belts: I've been told off a few times for being too diaspora when telling people to wear their seatbelts. While it won't always save your life it can improve your chances. In the videos there is evidence of people not wearing belts. It must be automatic to put it on.
3. Speeding: safety features are only as safe as your driving. A 2 tonne car out of control at high speed will not save your life. Our cars are becoming more & more powerful. Roads are not race tracks. It only takes one thing to go wrong for a catastrophe to happen.
4. Fatigue: driving while tired is as good as being intoxicated. People underestimate just how much a night out takes out of you. It might be a one-off but your body clock has been interrupted. Get a taxi or ask a friend to collect you..anything but don't take chances.
5. Other Road Users: if you want to take a chance on your own life, there are many ways of doing it without risking other lives. Taking risks on roads endangers the lives of everyone on the roads. I shudder to think what could have happened with two tyres acting as missiles.
6. Enforcement: laws without enforcement are as good as toilet paper. We must push the government on enforcement. This incident is a good time to highlight why we need to enforce laws against drink driving, speeding, driving without due care, etc.
7. Finally, no such thing as..it was his/her time. This all could have been avoided. Let's change our culture of thinking our actions shouldn't have consequences. They do!! To blame fate is to take away accountability, miss important lessons & for bad cultures to thrive.
My sincere condolences to the parents, families & friends of the deceased. I feel your pain as a parent. No other children should die this way. I thought about waiting until after funerals but that won't stop someone from driving after a drink today. May their souls rest in peace
PS. Mobile phone use while driving: thanks to @SamaitaTemboZim for highlighting this. Another practice that we have normalised. What is it on that phone that can't wait for you to arrive at your destination? Most of the time it's something remotely important like a drinking venue
