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THE festive holiday accident death toll has risen to 89 after three more people were killed between New Year’s Eve and yesterday in separate accidents, police said. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said the three deaths were recorded in Harare, Midlands and Manicaland.
He said as of yesterday 568 people had been injured in road traffic accidents since the beginning of the festive season on December 15 last year.
Chief Sup Nyathi said, “As of 9am today we had recorded 1, 076 accidents compared to 1, 140 accidents during the same period last year.
Five hundred and sixty eight people have been injured compared to 775 people during the same period last year.”
He said police have impounded 1, 409 vehicles for various defects while 98, 946 tickets had been issued out for various traffic offences.
Masvingo province has so far recorded the highest number of accidents at 17 followed by Manicaland (16) while Harare, Mashonaland Central and West have all recorded 10 deaths each.
Mashonaland East witnessed eight accident related deaths, Matabeleland North and South recorded six deaths each while five people have died in Midlands.
Bulawayo is the least with only one death recorded so far.
Chief Sup Nyathi has encouraged drivers not to speed as people prepare to go back to their workplaces.
He added that drivers should be vigilant on the roads to preserve human life.
“We are concerned by the conduct of some drivers who overtake on the highways when conditions do not allow. Drivers should be observant and only overtake when conditions allow,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He added that drivers should avoid flooded rivers or dams to avoid loss of life.
Chief Sup Nyathi appealed to public operators to be exemplary by avoiding parking on highways and being considerate to other drivers.
Online Reporter