MAZOWE, Aug. 7 (NewsDay Live) – Zimbabwe is accelerating the rollout of artificial intelligence-powered traffic enforcement systems as the government seeks to reduce road accidents that cost the economy an estimated US$400 million annually.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said road crashes were imposing an unsustainable economic burden through healthcare costs, lost productivity, supply chain disruptions and property damage.
“The cost of road crashes in Zimbabwe averages around US$400 million per year,” Mhona said on Friday during the launch of the 2026 Heroes and Defence Forces Road Safety Enforcement and Educational Awareness Campaign in Mazowe.
“The opportunity cost of the high rate of accidents — money spent supporting accident victims, lost production, supply chain delays and damage to property — is simply too high and must be avoided at all costs.”
Mhona said every road traffic crash strained healthcare facilities, emergency services, employers and families, while slowing economic activity.
To curb the losses, the government is expanding the deployment of surveillance cameras at signalised intersections and is moving towards commissioning a nationwide Smart Traffic Management System that will use artificial intelligence and digital technology to detect traffic offences and strengthen law enforcement.
“I am delighted to note that, under the Smart Policing Programme, the Zimbabwe Republic Police have undertaken a massive deployment of cameras at numerous signalised intersections to assist in the management of traffic on our roads,” Mhona said.
“Several cameras have already been installed, and work is still underway to install even more at other identified sites.”
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He said the system would improve enforcement by identifying traffic offenders and increasing accountability among motorists.
“We await with bated breath the commissioning and full utilisation of the Smart Traffic Management System, which we believe will significantly improve our ability to bring traffic rule violators of various categories to account, without fear or favour,” Mhona said.
“There is no doubt that, once implemented, the sobering effect of paying fines will help traffic regulatory authorities curb traffic violations, discourage speeding and encourage responsible driving practices.”
Zimbabwe continues to grapple with one of the highest road accident rates in the region.
According to Mhona, a road crash occurs every 15 minutes, killing an average of five people and injuring 38 others every day. Nearly 94% of crashes are attributed to human error, underscoring the government’s push to combine technology-driven enforcement with public education campaigns aimed at changing driver behaviour.
“The Government of Zimbabwe regards road safety as a national priority,” Mhona said.
“This is in recognition of the inverse relationship between poor road safety standards and the country’s development, economic productivity and the well-being of its citizens.”
He said improving road safety was central to the country’s National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030, arguing that safer roads would boost productivity, facilitate trade and tourism, support agriculture and mining, and improve Zimbabwe’s competitiveness.
The government aims to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 through a combination of smart enforcement technologies, road infrastructure improvements, including the repainting of pedestrian crossings, and coordinated awareness campaigns involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, the Vehicle Inspection Department and other stakeholders.
Ahead of the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, Mhona said enforcement teams would be deployed nationwide to conduct roadside compliance checks, vehicle inspections and public education campaigns, while urging motorists to obey traffic laws to reduce the country’s persistent road safety crisis.
