Due to a recent trend of road accidents involving motorcycles in the district, police in Mangochi, through its Traffic and Community Policing branches, have urged congregants from various denominations to take charge and work hand in hand with the police to curb road accidents in the area.
The team, led by the Station’s Traffic Officer (STO), Superintendent Julius Phiri, made remarks over the weekend at Mpondas Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, CCAP, and Baptist Churches within the township.
According to police statistics, almost 60% of the road accidents in the district involve motorcyclists due to non-compliance with road traffic rules and disregard for safety measures.
From January to date, police have recorded 41 road accidents, 25 of which involved motorcyclists. Additionally, 13 children have been killed in road accidents out of 29 lives lost, prompting police to embark on an intensive awareness campaign and seek community intervention.
Recently, the Traffic Office has received numerous complaints that pillion passengers are abandoned by motorcyclists after accidents, and some accidents are not reported.
Assuming that some of the congregants were motorcycle riders, the police advised them to always wear crash helmets, avoid overspeeding, insure and register their motorcycles, obtain a riding license, avoid carrying more than one pillion passenger, report accidents to the police, render assistance to injured victims, refrain from using cell phones or engaging in other distracting activities while riding, and avoid operating their businesses during odd hours.
Taking advantage of the gathering, police appealed to motorists and other road users to always follow road safety measures. Parents were advised not to allow their young children to cross the road on their own, play or chat while sitting on the edge of the road, and to exercise extra caution in taking care of their children.
One congregant at the Roman Catholic Church asked the police to tighten enforcement, especially for motorcyclists and Sienta drivers, if the campaign is to succeed. In response, Phiri assured the gathering that the police have implemented several strategies to address this issue.
Phiri urged congregants to play their part, especially when traveling using public transportation.
Meanwhile, the Station assures members of the community of continued efforts to reduce accidents in the district.
lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Public Relations Officer
Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:amina.tepani@police.gov.mw
Website:www.police.gov.mw