Published on : Monday, December 23, 2013
At least 31 people have died in 470 road traffic accidents which have occurred throughout Zimbabwe since the year-end festive season began on Dec 15 this year, according to the police Last year 52 people died in 500 accidents which occurred between Dec 15 and 22, said Zimbabwe Republic Police Spokesman Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi when providing the comparative statistics. He told the media in Harare on Sunday that a total of 138 injuries had so far been recorded this year compared with 308 recorded last year during the same period.
Police have also impounded 730 vehicles for various defects against 605 vehicles seized last year, added Supt Nyathi who attributed the accidents to speeding, overtaking errors, inattention, misjudgment and failure to give way.
“We have issued tickets worth 48,880 USD for various traffic offences compared with 5,094 USD last year.
Masvingo Province has so far recorded the highest deaths with 14 people while Manicaland and Bulawayo Provinces have recorded no deaths,” he said.
At least 12 people died recently while seven others were seriously injured when a Nissan caravan they were travelling in veered off the road and overturned along the Roy-Chiredzi road in Masvingo Province.
Supt Nyathi said the decline in traffic accidents and deaths were the result of the comprehensive awareness campaigns held across the country to avoid road carnages.
“We are still appealing, especially to public transport operators, not to overload and we also encourage public operators to employ drivers who are 25 years and above, with five years experience and who are holders of a defensive drivers’ licence,” he added.
The festive season is traditionally characterized by a high number of road traffic deaths. Last year at least 166 people died and 867 were injured in 1,030 accidents recorded during the whole of the festive season, which continues until after the New Year.
Tags: Destination News
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