Zimbabwe police say drivers won't get fined for road lines that aren't there. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has cleared up a concern over missing transverse markings, which has left some motorists unsure about how traffic rules apply on poorly marked streets.
Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the national police spokesperson, made the position clear. If those lines are plainly absent, officers won't issue penalties just because a driver failed to follow them.
These markings help drivers work out where to stop or how to move at junctions and other traffic control spots. When the paint has faded away or was never put down, following those guides becomes a problem.
And it's not just a case of drivers having to figure things out alone. ZRP is in talks with local councils about getting the missing lines dealt with. Road upkeep falls within the work of those authorities.
But there's a catch. The exemption only covers the absent transverse lines. It doesn't mean a driver can skip a red light, miss a clear road sign, or ignore what a traffic officer says.
Other rules still apply, even on streets with poor markings. Drivers must watch for signs they can see and follow traffic signals where they work.
As for which roads will get fresh paint, police haven't named any spots. There's also no clear schedule for when the work might be done.
For motorists who use roads with faded or absent lines, the statement at least clears up one point. Police won't fine them for failing to obey markings that plainly do not exist.
Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the national police spokesperson, made the position clear. If those lines are plainly absent, officers won't issue penalties just because a driver failed to follow them.
These markings help drivers work out where to stop or how to move at junctions and other traffic control spots. When the paint has faded away or was never put down, following those guides becomes a problem.
And it's not just a case of drivers having to figure things out alone. ZRP is in talks with local councils about getting the missing lines dealt with. Road upkeep falls within the work of those authorities.
But there's a catch. The exemption only covers the absent transverse lines. It doesn't mean a driver can skip a red light, miss a clear road sign, or ignore what a traffic officer says.
Other rules still apply, even on streets with poor markings. Drivers must watch for signs they can see and follow traffic signals where they work.
As for which roads will get fresh paint, police haven't named any spots. There's also no clear schedule for when the work might be done.
For motorists who use roads with faded or absent lines, the statement at least clears up one point. Police won't fine them for failing to obey markings that plainly do not exist.
