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Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
FIVE people were killed in road traffic accidents on Boxing Day, bringing the number of deaths to 21 and the number of accidents to 111 since Christmas Day.
National Police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said yesterday that speeding remains the major cause of accidents.
“Five people died in accidents that were recorded on December 26, 2016, compared to 10 people who were killed in 2015. Speeding remains the major cause of accidents,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He however said no major fatal accidents were recorded on the country’s highways.
“The fatal road accidents which occurred on December 26 involved four pedestrians who were knocked down by vehicles while they were trying to cross the road and another in which one passenger died,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He said most accidents that have been recorded occurred during the night between 8PM and 12 midnight.
Chief Supt Nyathi appealed to motorists to be cautious on the roads, adhere to the traffic rules and regulations, avoid travelling at night and never cross flooded rivers.
He warned that violators would be arrested.
On Monday Chief Supt Nyathi said police arrested 6 855 motorists for various traffic offences, down from 7 017 last year while 90 defective vehicles were impounded this year.
“As the holiday continues, we urge motorists to avoid speeding and be on the look out for pedestrians as they travel either on highways or feeder roads.
“Motorists should also avoid travelling at night as visibility is poor and observation is likely to be affected. They should also make sure that they don’t drink and drive. We will continue to monitor traffic movements on the roads,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He added that the police will also be working round the clock to make sure there are no criminal activities in residential, industrial and farming areas in all parts of the country.
He said most roads were in a bad state because of the rains and called for more alertness when driving.
The police, he added, in conjunction with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) would continue to carry out campaigns to ensure safety on the roads.
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