We will not soften traffic rules – police

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The Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services says it is not going to give in to the demands of minibus drivers to soften traffic rules in the country.

The remarks follow protests by minibus drivers in Blantyre City on Friday against the new road traffic rules currently being enforced by the Traffic Police.

Traffic officers adamant on new conflicting rules.

According to the Deputy Regional Traffic Officer for the south Alex Zimba, they will not accept the calls by drivers to soften the just implemented laws.

Zimba said the aim is not to restrain minibuses from operating but to protect lives though more lives have already been lost in road accidents which have hit the country.

He added that their department got shocked with the increase of the road accidents hence the need to have stiff laws.

Zimba continued by saying that if anyone does not want to be a victim of the laws, they need to just follow the rules when driving.

On Friday, drivers in the commercial city of Blantyre protested against the newly implemented laws.

The newly implemented rules include that no minibus should be seen carrying any kind of goods, even a single bag of maize. The police have also hiked fines for various offences.