Do not bribe traffic officials for any violations of the rules of the road and traffic laws. In the context of the upcoming festive season.
Corruption and Traffic Enforcement
The effect of corruption is not only a loss of state revenue. When corrupt officials allow motorists who speed or are driving vehicles that are not roadworthy, to proceed with their journey, the consequences for other road users are potentially disastrous. A breakdown in public trust of the integrity of traffic officials is also likely to result in an increase in lawlessness among road users.
Studies on crime in our country revealed that corruption was most evident in encounters with traffic officials, followed by the police, and during interactions with officials over employment opportunities. This supports the perception that corruption is a problem in local government traffic departments, and municipal police services, and highlights the discretionary power of some of these officials. For example, the public largely interacts with traffic officials on the road, where the actions of corrupt officials are difficult to monitor.
How does corruption manifest in the field of traffic enforcement and road safety?
- Bribes are often demanded in situations where road users have committed an offence such as speeding, overloading, or driving unlicensed or unroadworthy vehicles. Bribery in these instances may be used to ensure that the offender escapes a stiffer penalty (i.e. a $$$ bribe is requested when the alternative is to pay a legitimate fine of double that amount).
- The most commonly paid bribe was for traffic fines, driver testing and licensing irregularities.
- Certificates of roadworthiness are issued without the said vehicles undergoing the necessary roadworthy tests.
- Money is received in return for assisting applicants for learners’ licence tests to cheat in their exams.
- Car sellers often attempt to bribe examiners to overlook a certain component or else to push through a marginal case.
- Car sellers often try to buy “paper’ certificates. That is, a certificate is provided without testing or examining the vehicle at all.
- Car sellers will sometimes put testing stations under pressure if they do not pass their vehicle then they will take the business elsewhere.
- If a vehicle fails a roadworthy test, the client often takes the vehicle to another testing station where they know the test is less strict.
- A vehicle might be checked and (correctly) passed, only for some of the components to be switched before the vehicle is sold. The seller shows the prospective buyer the certificate and a deal is made on that evidence. The tyres, for example, may have been swapped with worn tyres after the test.
- Each vehicle examiner has an examiner’s code that appears on the examination sheet. Unscrupulous examiners will sometimes use other examiners’ codes and names when passing non-roadworthy vehicles
Zimbabwean citizens, empowered by the constitution, should be at the forefront of ensuring clean governance. This will require raising awareness, education, and a belief that such actions – with adequate protection from the state – can make a real difference. A failure to achieve this may prove the Achilles heel of sustained attempts to combat corruption in our country.
Conclusion:
As long as there is no respect for the rules of the laws of the road, the road will be an unsafe place. All road users need to be aware of the dangers of corruption – and not to endorse corruption through their conduct. Corruption not only is to be found in the actions of the official who asks for or receives the bribe or benefit – but also on the part of him who offers the bribe.
As always, Drive Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance urges you to prepare your vehicle properly for any journey you will be making, and have the right attitude when on the road. In the event of mishaps. By telephoning 0780 579 261/0718 084 297 / 0736 523 424 you will receive 24 hours of emergency roadside assistance country-wide, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
After years of experience in the Towing and Emergency Roadside Assistance service industry. When we first opened the shop, we set out with one simple goal: to provide our members throughout the country with the urgent, reliable, and respectful towing and 24/7 cost-effective recovery services they deserve, and to do it in all the areas at the most affordable prices. Today, Drive Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance offers some of the quickest response times in the country. From simple jumpstarts to complicated medium-duty accident recoveries and everything in between, our technicians have the equipment and expertise to instil comfort and peace of mind when things go wrong on the road.