News / National
Holiday death toll rises to 50
02 Apr 2013 at 22:31hrs | Views
THE Easter Holiday death toll rose to 50, which is slightly less than the 52 people killed during the same period last year.
Police ended their Easter Holiday campaign against accidents and crime yesterday.
A total of 424 accidents were recorded countrywide during the holiday.
Police launched a campaign against accidents, which started on 25 March and ended yesterday at 9am.
In an interview yesterday, police spokesperson Superintendent Paul Nyathi said 50 people were killed during the holiday, compared to 52 people last year, while 273 were injured compared to 269 last year.
Supt Nyathi said no deaths were recorded in Bulawayo while Harare recorded five.
Midlands recorded eleven fatalities, Matabeleland North one, Matabeleland South four, Masvingo five, Manicaland 10, Mashonaland Central three, Mashonaland East eight and Mashonaland West three.
He said the police impounded 179 vehicles for different defects and issued out 8 487 tickets to offending motorists.
"The main cause of the accidents was human error, which includes following too close, overtaking and reversing errors.
"We are mostly concerned about haulage trucks and private vehicles, which evade the police by travelling at night and carrying passengers when they are not allowed to do so. We are also worried about pedestrians who are hit by vehicles," said Supt Nyathi.
He appealed to motorists and pedestrians to be cautious on the roads and adhere to traffic rules in order to save lives.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe managing director Mr Obio Chinyere expressed concern over the number of people who died in accidents, which he attributed to human error.
"Most accidents were caused by speeding, overloading and travelling at night. We embarked on a campaign before the holiday and reminded motorists constantly through mobile phones to drive safely, but I am disappointed that we lost 50 people in less than 10 days. However, we will continue to do so until motorists change their attitudes.
"I would like to urge them to stick to speed limits, avoid overloading and overtake when it is safe. Passengers also have the right to report motorists who do not adhere to traffic rules when carrying people," said Mr Chinyere.
Police ended their Easter Holiday campaign against accidents and crime yesterday.
A total of 424 accidents were recorded countrywide during the holiday.
Police launched a campaign against accidents, which started on 25 March and ended yesterday at 9am.
In an interview yesterday, police spokesperson Superintendent Paul Nyathi said 50 people were killed during the holiday, compared to 52 people last year, while 273 were injured compared to 269 last year.
Supt Nyathi said no deaths were recorded in Bulawayo while Harare recorded five.
Midlands recorded eleven fatalities, Matabeleland North one, Matabeleland South four, Masvingo five, Manicaland 10, Mashonaland Central three, Mashonaland East eight and Mashonaland West three.
He said the police impounded 179 vehicles for different defects and issued out 8 487 tickets to offending motorists.
"The main cause of the accidents was human error, which includes following too close, overtaking and reversing errors.
"We are mostly concerned about haulage trucks and private vehicles, which evade the police by travelling at night and carrying passengers when they are not allowed to do so. We are also worried about pedestrians who are hit by vehicles," said Supt Nyathi.
He appealed to motorists and pedestrians to be cautious on the roads and adhere to traffic rules in order to save lives.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe managing director Mr Obio Chinyere expressed concern over the number of people who died in accidents, which he attributed to human error.
"Most accidents were caused by speeding, overloading and travelling at night. We embarked on a campaign before the holiday and reminded motorists constantly through mobile phones to drive safely, but I am disappointed that we lost 50 people in less than 10 days. However, we will continue to do so until motorists change their attitudes.
"I would like to urge them to stick to speed limits, avoid overloading and overtake when it is safe. Passengers also have the right to report motorists who do not adhere to traffic rules when carrying people," said Mr Chinyere.
Source - TC
