Maputo — The Mozambican government's National Traffic Institute (INAV) plans to stop thousands of vehicles in the streets of Maputo, the neighbouring city of Matola, and the central port of Beira, and inspect them for technical defects.

According to the deputy director of INAV, Jorge Muiambo, cited in Friday's issue of the independent newsheet "Mediafax", these inspections will be free of charge, and are intended, not to punish negligent drivers, but to warn them of the dangers of driving vehicles that are defective.

Muiambo said he hoped this campaign would reduce the number of traffic accidents on Mozambican roads. It will run from Saturday until mid-November. He expected that in Maputo alone 50,000 vehicles will be inspected.

The inspection will be rapid, and will look at the steering, brakes, tyres and lights of the vehicles. Failings in these areas are believed to be among the main causes of accidents.

According to INAV statistics, in the last two years 10,533 traffic accidents were recorded, resulting in 2,797 deaths, 6,652 serious injuries and 7,134 slight injuries.

The government is planning to introduce, some time in the near future, compulsory regular testing of all vehicles.