The Sunday Mail
Melody Madzika
The number of fatalities due to road traffic accidents has declined 73 percent during the past two years with 1 209 fatalities recorded between January and September this year compared to 2 094 during the same period in 2012.
According to latest statistics from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), at least 10 410 people were injured on the country’s road in the period under review as compared to 14 965 reported in 2012.
Last year 1 435 people were killed due to the same cause while 11 074 were injured.
TSCZ attributed the decline in the figures to awareness campaigns and police operations, especially on major highways during holiday’s when accidents increase.
TSCZ Managing Director Mr Obio Chinyere said a campaign had been launched ahead of the festive season to caution motorists and avoid loss of life.
“While the statistics show a decline, it is still worrying that people die on the road and in most cases, in avoidable accidents.
“We urge motorists to plan their journeys in time to avoid speeding and not to travel at night,” he said.
“From the 25th of November to the 12th of December, we will conduct special road use campaigns with police and the Rainbow Tourism Group every Tuesday and Thursday and from the December 15 to January 5 we will be on 14 major highways cautioning motorists.”
Mr Chinyere said most accidents were a result of human error, defective vehicles, drunken driving and tyre busts due to overloading.
