News / National
Holiday accident death toll increases to 64
26 Dec 2013 at 10:36hrs | Views
THE death toll on the country's roads has risen to 64 over the holiday season.
A total of 311 people, down from 599 last year, have been injured in 738 accidents that have been recorded since the start of the festive season on December 15, police national spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said on Thursday.
He said during the same period last year 123 people were killed while 599 others were injured in 793 accidents.
"As at 9am today, a total of 738 accidents have been recorded compared to 793 in 2012. A total of 64 people have been killed so far in the road accidents, compared to 123 last year," he said.
"As we continue to try and curb carnage on our roads, we have impounded 997 vehicles for various defects countrywide. A total of 67 821 tickets have also been issued to motorists for various offences." He said.
Chief Supt Nyathi said Masvingo province has the highest number of deaths so far (15), followed by Manicaland (nine) and Mashonaland East and Central each with seven.
Harare and Matabeleland South have so far recorded six deaths each, while Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North have recorded five deaths each.
In Midlands, two people have died while Bulawayo has so far recorded one death. Chief Supt Nyathi said the major causes of accidents were speeding, overtaking errors, lack of concentration and failing to give way among others.
He urged motorists, especially public transport operators to abide by the traffic rules and regulations and exercise extreme caution on the roads.
"The holiday is still on and I would like to encourage motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads.
"Motorists must always respect other drivers on the roads, avoid speeding, drinking and driving. They should only overtake when it is safe to do so," said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He warned public transport operators not to overload their vehicles, saying they must put the safety of the people first.
A total of 311 people, down from 599 last year, have been injured in 738 accidents that have been recorded since the start of the festive season on December 15, police national spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said on Thursday.
He said during the same period last year 123 people were killed while 599 others were injured in 793 accidents.
"As at 9am today, a total of 738 accidents have been recorded compared to 793 in 2012. A total of 64 people have been killed so far in the road accidents, compared to 123 last year," he said.
"As we continue to try and curb carnage on our roads, we have impounded 997 vehicles for various defects countrywide. A total of 67 821 tickets have also been issued to motorists for various offences." He said.
Chief Supt Nyathi said Masvingo province has the highest number of deaths so far (15), followed by Manicaland (nine) and Mashonaland East and Central each with seven.
Harare and Matabeleland South have so far recorded six deaths each, while Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North have recorded five deaths each.
In Midlands, two people have died while Bulawayo has so far recorded one death. Chief Supt Nyathi said the major causes of accidents were speeding, overtaking errors, lack of concentration and failing to give way among others.
He urged motorists, especially public transport operators to abide by the traffic rules and regulations and exercise extreme caution on the roads.
"The holiday is still on and I would like to encourage motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads.
"Motorists must always respect other drivers on the roads, avoid speeding, drinking and driving. They should only overtake when it is safe to do so," said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He warned public transport operators not to overload their vehicles, saying they must put the safety of the people first.
Source - Byo24News
