Traffic ongestion when it rains: Stupid driving or

I simply don’t understand why there’s massive congestion in Harare when it rains. It doesn’t matter if it’s a few showers or a downpour. Of course roads get slippery, visibility is reduced and drivers have to drive slower and carefully but the congestion is simply not proportional. I think our drivers switch to stupid, selfish mode- that’s the only explanation. Except for combi drivers (unfortunately) and a few other drivers, we’re all to blame for the unnecessary congestion that bedevils the City when it rains. As a collective, we’re just stupid when we see the rain while driving.

My opinion is that, no amount of safe driving tips during wet weather can help counter the ridiculous congestion in the City. It has to do with how we treat the situation and each other when it rains. The situation is compounded when there is an uncontrolled intersection. Each driver wants to move, however small the distance (30cm even) or stupid that decision is. A driver prefers to block someone who has miles of empty road simply because he/she wants to cover a 50cm gap, I mean seriously? Is that decision made because it’ll be better for all of us to be late than just me?

I simply don’t understand the decision making process. Maybe driving schools do not work during wet weather so our drivers simply do not know how to drive when it rains. Whatever the situation, there should be some sort of extra control in the City when it rains. Could we possibly punish drivers who turn to stupid mode when it rains? Considering how the Police want to make money on the road, this is certainly an opportunity for them to make a killing.

Whichever the case is, the Police, V.I.D. and Traffic Safety Council should do something about the unnecessary congestion in the City. It could be a way to collect last year’s civil servants bonuses- an opportunity hey!

Safety and non-congestion causing tips when driving in the rain (however little the rain is):

• Do not switch to stupid mode
• Plan in advance, avoid streets which are prone to flooding and that pose a potential of congestion (e.g. Samora Machel, Chinhoyi Street)
• Check that your windscreen wiper blades are fully functional

• Use dipped headlights so that other drivers can see you more easily
• Don’t use rear fog lights. They can mask your brake lights and dazzle drivers behind you
• Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front to account for greater stopping distances
• Listen out for traffic updates (ZiFM is particularly handy)
• Be considerate to other road users and try not to spray pedestrians! We are human too
• Switch off stupid mode- in case you already are!