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2,000 pedestrians killed, injured in hit‑and‑run accidents in Q1
3 hrs ago |
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More than 2 000 pedestrians were killed or injured in hit-and-run road accidents between January and March this year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has revealed, raising fresh concerns over road safety and driver accountability.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said a total of 2 081 pedestrians, including schoolchildren, were either killed or injured during the period, with motorists fleeing accident scenes instead of stopping to assist victims as required by law.
The figure marks an increase from 1 905 cases recorded during the same period last year, indicating a worrying upward trend in pedestrian vulnerability on Zimbabwe's roads.
"It is a requirement, in terms of the Road Traffic Act, that motorists who are involved in road traffic accidents stop, render assistance to the injured and, where a person has died, follow due process. Motorists must also report to the police," Nyathi said.
He added that the rising number of hit-and-run cases remained a major concern for law enforcement.
"It is disheartening to note that there are motorists who decide to run away from accident scenes," he said.
Police said most victims include schoolchildren, pedestrians crossing roads at zebra crossings and traffic-controlled intersections, as well as people walking along pavements.
Authorities have urged both motorists and pedestrians to exercise greater caution, warning against distractions such as mobile phone use and listening to music through headphones while near or crossing roads.
"We also continue to urge pedestrians to consider crossing roads at traffic lights if they are in the CBD and when it is safe to do so," Nyathi said.
The police also said they are anticipating the rollout of an electronic traffic management system that will help identify and track offending drivers more effectively.
In a related development, Officer Commanding Harare province Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru recently called for stricter accountability of damaged vehicles linked to accidents and urged improved street lighting in poorly lit areas to reduce night-time risks.
Police figures from the Easter holiday period further highlighted the severity of the problem, with 19 of the 30 road fatalities recorded during that time being pedestrians.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said a total of 2 081 pedestrians, including schoolchildren, were either killed or injured during the period, with motorists fleeing accident scenes instead of stopping to assist victims as required by law.
The figure marks an increase from 1 905 cases recorded during the same period last year, indicating a worrying upward trend in pedestrian vulnerability on Zimbabwe's roads.
"It is a requirement, in terms of the Road Traffic Act, that motorists who are involved in road traffic accidents stop, render assistance to the injured and, where a person has died, follow due process. Motorists must also report to the police," Nyathi said.
He added that the rising number of hit-and-run cases remained a major concern for law enforcement.
"It is disheartening to note that there are motorists who decide to run away from accident scenes," he said.
Authorities have urged both motorists and pedestrians to exercise greater caution, warning against distractions such as mobile phone use and listening to music through headphones while near or crossing roads.
"We also continue to urge pedestrians to consider crossing roads at traffic lights if they are in the CBD and when it is safe to do so," Nyathi said.
The police also said they are anticipating the rollout of an electronic traffic management system that will help identify and track offending drivers more effectively.
In a related development, Officer Commanding Harare province Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru recently called for stricter accountability of damaged vehicles linked to accidents and urged improved street lighting in poorly lit areas to reduce night-time risks.
Police figures from the Easter holiday period further highlighted the severity of the problem, with 19 of the 30 road fatalities recorded during that time being pedestrians.
Source - Sunday Mail
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