Learners, Animals & Older drivers

Animals and animal drawn carts. Zimbabwean roads carry livestock, and a herd on the tar is a hazard to be treated as one. Pass slowly, give plenty of room and be ready to stop. Do not sound the horn, rev the engine or accelerate hard once you are past, because a startled animal turns into the road rather than away from it. If a herd has blocked the road, stop and switch the engine off until it has cleared. Watch for animals on unfenced roads, and keep your speed down on bends and narrow rural roads where the first you see of a beast is when you are level with it.

A scotch cart or other animal drawn vehicle keeps to the left except when turning right, carries two white reflectors at the front and red reflectors at the rear, must have reins and a leader, and is never left standing unattended. Herded animals are kept under control and led with a red warning flag, and after dark whoever is leading them wears reflective clothing. Dogs on the road belong on a leash. Treat every animal as a potential hazard, including the one that appears to be grazing quietly on the verge.

Learner drivers. A vehicle showing L plates is being driven by somebody who is still working out what to do next, with a licensed driver beside them. Expect a stall at the robot, a slow pull away, a signal left on too long. Hold back, leave room, and do not hoot. A provisional licence is permission to practise, and the practice has to happen on real roads.

Older drivers. Reactions slow with age, and a driver who takes longer to decide is not being awkward. Make the allowance, the way you would want it made for you.