Easter death toll:10

Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
TEN people died in road traffic accidents during the Easter holiday compared to 19 who lost their lives last year over the same period, national police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said.

She said the statistics captured from April 3 to April 6 marked a decrease of 90 percent in road traffic fatalities. While the number of fatal road accidents decreased, she said, there was an increase in the number of injured people.

“A total of 283 road traffic accidents were recorded compared to 206 during the same period last year. Ten fatal road accidents were recorded this year compared to 16 last year,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

She said 162 people were injured in road accidents this year’s Easter holiday compared to 151 last year.

Police impounded 378 vehicles which had either defects or were being driven by unlicensed drivers.

“We impounded defective vehicles and those driven by unlicensed drivers. We also issued 21,074 tickets for different traffic offences,” she said.

“Most fatal road traffic accidents involved pedestrians who were either crossing or moving on the side of the roads in the central business districts and residential areas. Few and mostly minor road accidents occurred along the country’s highways,” she said.

She advised drivers to continue exercising caution on the roads.

“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,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.