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Statistics released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in a statement Tuesday show that the number of people who perished during this year’s Easter holiday was reduced by 41.09 percent compared to the same period last year while the number of fatal accidents was reduced by 50 percent.
A total of 30 people died on the country’s roads compared to 73 during the same period last year, while 16 fatal accidents occurred in comparison with 32 in 2022.
However, the number of recorded accidents during the same period increased from 264 in 2022 to 288 this year. The number of injured people reduced from 202 in 2022 to 153 this year.
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi attributed the accidents to human error and traveling at night.
“It is disturbing to note that some of the accidents recorded during the period are attributed to human error, which includes speeding, inattention, misjudgment, and failure to observe roads rules and regulations by drivers.
“Most fatal accidents recorded occurred during the night where travellers were moving in numbers with vehicles overloaded, mixing goods and passengers, in the process ignoring safety measures,” he said.
Asst. Comm Nyathi stated that on April 7 at around 6pm, ten people died while 31 others were injured after a Toyota Caravan kombi collided with a minibus at the 192km peg along the Harare-Masvingo highway.
He said six more people were killed while five were injured at around 11pm on April 9 at the five-kilometre peg along Mvuma-Gweru road.
“…a Mercedes Benz Sprinter with 24 passengers on board side swiped with a Nissan UD truck carrying 31 passengers. The driver did not stop after the accident and was involved in another accident at the 192km peg along Harare-Masvingo road where the truck veered off the road resulting in the injury of three passengers who were in the truck.”
Meanwhile, two people died while two others were injured when a Honda Fit vehicle with for occupants on board veered of the road and landed beneath the bridge at the 213-kilometre peg along Harare Masvingo road on April 9 at around 11pm.
Asst. Comm Nyathi implored motorists to be responsible on the country’s roads and lead by example when it comes to road safety as the country prepares for Independence Day.
“Let us play our part to make roads safe and not death traps, above all, drivers should comply with all road rules and regulations in order to safeguard lives,” he said. Nhau/Indaba
