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ZRP confirms 20 road accident deaths in just days
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed that at least 20 people have died in a series of road traffic accidents recorded across the country in recent days, raising fresh alarm over reckless driving and road safety.
In the latest tragedy early this morning, eight people were killed when a Dragon bus collided with a haulage truck at the 246-kilometer peg along the Mutare–Masvingo Road near Mutendi Complex. The bus, carrying 20 passengers from Beitbridge to Mutare, attempted to overtake but swerved back into its lane upon seeing an oncoming vehicle, sideswiping the truck. Timber from the truck pierced into the bus, killing the driver and seven others on the spot. Four more passengers were seriously injured and rushed to Masvingo General Hospital.
Police highlighted overtaking errors as the major cause of the recent surge in accidents. "Most of the accidents recorded recently have been due to overtaking errors on the part of drivers. We urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution and adhere strictly to traffic regulations," ZRP said in its statement.
The deadly crash follows another accident on August 28, when a Toyota Fortuner GD6 veered off the Mutare–Masvingo Road at the 46-kilometer peg and hit a concrete signpost, killing four instantly. The death toll later rose to six after two more victims died in hospital.
On August 29, seven members of the same family perished along the Harare–Nyamapanda Road when a kombi overturned during an overtaking attempt, killing five at the scene and two more later in hospital.
The police have urged drivers to exercise patience on the roads to avoid further loss of life.
In the latest tragedy early this morning, eight people were killed when a Dragon bus collided with a haulage truck at the 246-kilometer peg along the Mutare–Masvingo Road near Mutendi Complex. The bus, carrying 20 passengers from Beitbridge to Mutare, attempted to overtake but swerved back into its lane upon seeing an oncoming vehicle, sideswiping the truck. Timber from the truck pierced into the bus, killing the driver and seven others on the spot. Four more passengers were seriously injured and rushed to Masvingo General Hospital.
Police highlighted overtaking errors as the major cause of the recent surge in accidents. "Most of the accidents recorded recently have been due to overtaking errors on the part of drivers. We urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution and adhere strictly to traffic regulations," ZRP said in its statement.
The deadly crash follows another accident on August 28, when a Toyota Fortuner GD6 veered off the Mutare–Masvingo Road at the 46-kilometer peg and hit a concrete signpost, killing four instantly. The death toll later rose to six after two more victims died in hospital.
On August 29, seven members of the same family perished along the Harare–Nyamapanda Road when a kombi overturned during an overtaking attempt, killing five at the scene and two more later in hospital.
The police have urged drivers to exercise patience on the roads to avoid further loss of life.
Source - newsday
