Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Online Writer
Road traffic accidents are the third leading cause of death in Zimbabwe, claiming more than 2000 lives annually, a report by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development on road carnage has revealed.
Presenting a report on road carnage, the committee’s chairperson, Tawanda Karikoga, stated that there has been an increase in road accidents in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
“In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 15 263 accidents were recorded, marking a 15 percent increase from the 13 317 cases reported during the same period in 2024,” he said.
The reports state that human error and behaviour were the major contributors to the road traffic accidents.
“The Committee was informed by TSCZ and ZRP that over 85 percent of accidents are attributed to human error and behaviour.
“Common issues include reckless overtaking, fatigue, speeding and drunken driving,” said Mr Karikoga.
The major contributors of accidents caused by human error and behaviour are misjudgment, which contributes 15,3 percent, excessive speeding, contributing 11 percent, while failure to give way contributes 7,7 percent of the accidents.
Other factors highlighted in the report as causes of road traffic accidents are system failure, vehicle defects and infrastructure deficiencies.
According to a ZIMSTAT report of 2022, road traffic accidents are the third leading cause of death in the country after HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
On average, more than 2 000 people die annually, while over 30 000 are injured, many of whom suffer lifelong disabilities (TSCZ, 2021).
