adminAssistant Inspector Luxmore Chakanza said most of the incidents were attributed to negligence by pedestrians and cyclists.
“Cases of pedestrians being knocked down by vehicles countrywide are on the increase and most of them have been attributed to them being negligent,” he said.
Asst Insp Chakanza said most of the pedestrians crossed roads without checking, while others underestimated the speed of vehicles and ended up being hit and killed.
“We would like to urge pedestrians to cross roads when it is safe to do so and should also avoid standing in the middle of the road as they will risk their lives,” he said.
Asst Insp Chakanza said most cyclists were no longer using cycle tracks as they tended to cycle in the middle of the roads.
“Sometimes during the night, the cyclists don’t even wear reflectors and most of them will be wearing clothes with dark colours making it difficult to be seen by motorists,” Asst Insp Chakanza said.
He urged cyclists to ensure that they put on reflective clothes during the night and use cycle tracks.
Asst Insp Chakanza expressed concern over cyclists who cross major roads after underestimating the speed of cars.
He urged motorists to avoid speeding and to obey the traffic rules and regulations when driving.
In the Sadc region, at least one-third of road accident victims are pedestrians.
In November last year, United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said roads had claimed some 1,2 million lives and injured more than 50 million people every year.
He said around 90 percent of road traffic deaths and injuries occurred in low and middle income countries and most of the victims were pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Online Reporter