ZRP to Deploy Drones Over Harare to Catch Errant Drivers
Motorists in Harare, especially repeat offenders, are in for tougher times as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) plans to deploy drones to monitor traffic violations in and around the city centre.
This latest move is aimed at supporting the recently launched Electronic Traffic Management System (ETMS), which is already in place to catch common offences like illegal drop-offs, reckless lane creation, driving in the wrong direction, ignoring road signs, and operating public transport vehicles without proper licences.
The ZRP says 290 motorists have already been flagged and fined for violations captured by surveillance cameras. The addition of drones is expected to expand the reach of this crackdown.
Also read: ZRP Exposes 290 Drivers Who Ignored Red Robots in Harare: Find Out If You’re on the List
Police to Deploy Drones to Monitor Drivers in Harare
Speaking about the new tech, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said drones based at Harare Central Police Station will be used to identify offending drivers from a distance, sometimes as far as 20 kilometres away.
“It is not just a unique system which is working in isolation. It is also integrated in the drone facility, which the Zimbabwe Public Police has also introduced. Now we have got drones at Harare Central Police Station. We have drones which can monitor as far as even, you know, 5km, 10km to 20km away,” he said.
Drones to cover up to 20km from Harare Central
He added that police would now be able to monitor areas like Market Square, Rotten Row, and even the Harare Exhibition Park (Showgrounds) from a central point.
“For example, while it is at Harare Central, we can monitor what happens at Market Square. We can monitor what happens at Rotten Row. We can monitor what happens even at the Showground and also even at the other side of the town. So what it entails is, yes, the electronic traffic management system is there and effective. It can also be supported and aided by this drone facility,” he said.
Nyathi said the combination of drones and electronic surveillance will make traffic enforcement more effective. The goal, he explained, is not only to punish offenders but also to improve traffic flow and bring back order to Harare’s increasingly chaotic CBD.
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The post ZRP to Deploy Drones Over Harare to Catch Errant Drivers appeared first on iHarare News.
