adminArron Nyamayaro
MOST road traffic accidents from the beginning of the festive season involved private vehicles, according to the police.
In a joint Press conference with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe(TSCZ) yesterday, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, noted with concern the number of private vehicles involved in accidents during the holiday.
Accidents have claimed 92 lives and 333 injured as from December 15 to December 26.
Asst Comm Nyathi said one private vehicle killed 13 people, among them pedestrians, when the driver lost control of the vehicle.
No major road accident involving public service vehicles has been recorded, and police impounded 2 159 vehicles for various defects so far.
“Some of the private vehicles will be overloaded while others are being used for purposes which are clearly not suitable for that use,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“On Unity Day, a total of 107 road traffic accidents were recorded countrywide and three of the accidents were fatal, with three people dying, while 27 others were injured,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“A reduction on the number of accidents was noted during the same period in 2021 where 144 road traffic accidents were recorded with seven being fatal, killing 10 people, while 26 others were injured.
“On Christmas Day, a total of 119 road traffic accidents were recorded countrywide, with 10 being fatal, killing 13 people and injuring 89, compared to 187 road traffic accidents recorded during the same period in 2021 with 10 fatal, which killed 13 people and injured 35 others.
“On Boxing Day, 88 road traffic accidents were recorded countrywide; 15 being fatal and 16 people were killed while 19 others were injured, compared to 2021 where 103 road traffic accidents were recorded, with five being fatal, seven killed while 29 were injured,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said most road accidents occurred on highways as a result of speeding, overtaking errors, inattention, misjudgement, following too close behind and recklessness.
He said most accidents were caused by drivers trying to overtake in situations not safe to do so.
Some motorists encroached into oncoming traffic and straddled the centre lane, while others showed clear poor observation and control of their vehicles resulting in some hitting pedestrians walking on the side of the road.
TSCZ managing director, Munesu Munodawafa, urged transport operators to continue warning their drivers to exercise caution on roads.
“We continue to appeal to public service vehicle drivers not to overload and to those drunk to avoid driving after merry making.
“We want travellers to travel safely,” said Munodawafa
Online Reporter