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Ten people died while 162 others were injured in 283 road traffic accidents recorded countrywide during this year’s Easter holiday, described by police as having been peaceful.
During the same period last year, 19 people died while 151 were injured in 206 traffic accidents.
This year’s Easter holiday accidents statistics were recorded between April 3 and 6.
There were few road accidents recorded along the country’s major highways. Most of the victims who died were pedestrians who were knocked down by cars in the central business districts and residential areas of major cities.
Police say 378 unroadworthy vehicles and those being driven by unlicensed drivers were impounded countrywide.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said they also issued 21 074 tickets to motorists for various traffic offences.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to inform the nation that the 2015 Easter holiday was peaceful in terms of road traffic accidents and general crime. It is pleasing to note that no major fatal road accidents occurred on the country’s highways,” she said.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said most fatal traffic accidents involved pedestrians who were either crossing roads or walking along the road sides especially in the CBD and residential areas.
“Few and mostly minor road accidents occurred along the country’s highways.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to urge all drivers to continue exercising caution on the roads irrespective of the fact that the country will be having a holiday or not. Responsible behaviour on the roads should be everyone’s clarion call on a daily basis.
“Police will continue to monitor all roads and deploy police officers accordingly. Generally there was a reduction in crimes of concern,” she said.
Last week, police said more traffic police officers would be deployed on major roads, while patrol teams were increased in crime-prone areas during Easter and Independence Day holidays to ensure sanity prevailed countrywide.
Motorists were urged to observe road rules and regulations and ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy to carry passengers and goods.
According to police, speeding, human error and misjudgement, overloading and defective vehicles contribute the most to accidents.
Police were checking for various traffic violations, targeting stolen motor vehicles, minerals, criminals, cattle rustlers and drug traffickers. The National Traffic Unit also warned that they would not tolerate unlicensed drivers following an increase in accidents.
Officer Commanding National Traffic Senior Assistant Commissioner Felistas Mjanga said cases of unlicensed drivers were on the increase as more people were buying vehicles.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development recently called for stiffer penalties on errant motorists who violate traffic regulations and cause accidents.
A motion moved by chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee Cde Dexter Nduna said 85 percent of road accidents were a result of human error.
Last year, 30 people died while 229 were injured in 287 road accidents recorded during Independence and Easter holidays countrywide. The accidents were attributed to speeding, vehicle defects and human error.
Police impounded 359 unroadworthy vehicles and issued a total of 9 935 tickets for various traffic offences.
Online Reporter