As a way of raising awareness, and changing attitudes and behaviour towards road safety, MLW conducted a Road Safety Awareness event for its members of staff on 10 December 2021.
MLW’s Health and Safety Manager Wezi Gondwe said the awareness event was a platform to remind staff to be safe during the festive season.
“The festive season is associated with high road accident rates. The event was set towards the festive to alert staff and equip them with defensive skills that can help them to avoid road accidents,” said Gondwe.
The road safety awareness which offered an opportunity for MLW staff to interact and learn from experts from Road Traffic Services and KUHES was conducted under the theme: “STREETS FOR LIFE”
Francis Malanda is one of the staff members who attended the awareness from MLW. He said that MLW’s incentive to combat the high rate of accidents through this awareness is an effective tool.
Senior Road and Transport Officer for South Directorate of Road Traffic on Safety Services (DRTSS) Edwin Chikamba said the topic of road accidents should be taken seriously. It is high time, according to Chikamba, that people start realising the graveness of the situation and take action.
“Road safety should be one of the most talked-about topics amongst people to raise awareness. It is sad to note that people think adhering to road safety information is only for those working for road traffic and drivers. On the contrary, every person regardless of their status in society is a road user and should take full responsibility when using the road,” said Chikamba.
Studies show that Malawi has the fourth highest annual road injury mortality. According to World Health Organisation data published in 2018, road traffic accidents deaths in Malawi reached 5,631 or 5.21% of total deaths. This has increased in 2021 with a total of 5997 accidents reported during the period, compared to the rest of the years. 2021 statistics represent a 23% increase from 2020 which had 4860.
Chikamba also warned road users against behaviours such as drinking and driving and speeding which are some of the leading causes of accidents.
