The number of people killed in road traffic accidents during the 2023 Easter Holiday, that is, from 07 to 10 April, was low compared to the 2022 Easter Holiday.
On Tuesday, 11 April, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi released the 2023 Easter Holiday road traffic accident statistics.
The statistics showed that the total number of road traffic accidents rose to 288 in 2023 from 264 in 2022.
The total number of fatal road accidents fell to 16 during the 2023 Easter Holiday compared to 32 such accidents recorded during the 2022 Easter Holiday.
The number of people killed this year also fell to 30, from 73 recorded during the 2022 Easter Holiday.
The number of injured people also declined from 202 to 153. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:
It is disturbing to note that some of the accidents recorded during the period are attributed to human error, which includes speeding, inattention, misjudgment, and failure to observe road rules and regulations, by drivers.
Most fatal road traffic accidents recorded occurred during the night when travellers were moving in numbers with vehicles overloaded, mixing goods and passengers, in the process ignoring safety measures.
On 7th April 2023 at around 0600 hours, ten people were killed, while 31 others were injured in a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 192 kilometre peg along Harare-Masvingo Highway when a Toyota Caravan kombi collided with a minibus.
In another fatal road traffic accident which occurred on 09th April 2023, at around 2300 hours at the five kilometre peg along Mvuma -Gweru Road, six people died while five others were injured when a Mercedes Benz Sprinter with 24 passengers on board side swiped with a UD truck carrying 31 passengers.
The truck driver did not stop after the accident and was involved in another accident at the 192-kilometre peg along Harare-Masvingo Road where the truck veered off the road resulting in the injury of three passengers who were in the truck.
Meanwhile, two people died while two others were injured when a Honda Fit vehicle with four occupants on board veered off the road and landed beneath the bridge at the 213-kilometre peg along Harare-Masvingo Road on 9th April 2023 at around 2300 hours.
As the country prepares to commemorate Independence Day on 18th April 2023, the Zimbabwe Republic Police implores all motorists to be responsible on the roads and lead by example when it comes to road safety.
Let us all play our part to make roads safe and not death traps, above all drivers, should comply with all road rules and regulations in order to safeguard lives.
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