adminPatrick Chitumba Senior Reporter
THE festive season road accident death toll has increased to 35 with four people dying on Unity Day. Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said while four people were killed on December 22 this year, the figure was lower than the 10 killed on the same date last year.
“The total number of accidents recorded on Unity Day last year was 67, compared to 85 this year. The number of people killed last year was 10, compared to four this year,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi said the number of people injured in accidents had increased this year to 61 from 44 the previous year.
He said cumulatively, as of December 22,323 people were injured this year as compared to 182 last year.
Chief Supt said 598 accidents had been recorded so far compared to 537 last year.
“The number of people killed is now 35 down from 41 last year,” he said.
The police spokesperson said a total of 59,629 tickets have been issued for various traffic offences.
He said it was disturbing to note that most accident were caused by speeding motorists, overtaking error, inattention or misjudgement on the part of drivers and failure to give way on approaching road junctions, intersections and other controlled points.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt Nyathi warned all public service vehicle operators and their crew who have hiked fares to revert to the normal and known fares.
His warning comes at a time when most long distance operators have doubled fares.
“Anyone who will be caught taking advantage of passengers who intend to travel to various destinations will be severely dealt with in terms of the country’s laws,” he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi encouraged members of the public to report errant drivers who are taking the law into their hands to the nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk on telephone number (04) 703631.
Online Reporter