Twenty-six people died from road traffic accidents this Easter holiday, while the number of accidents across the country increased compared to last year’s holiday season, police have said.
From this year’s Easter holiday that started last week Friday and ended on Monday, a total of 231 road traffic accidents took place compared to 178 in 2020.
25 of the accidents were fatal, leaving 26 people dead and 149 injured.
Last year there were eight fatalities and eight deaths while the number of injuries was 22.
National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, cited human error as the major cause of the fatal road traffic accidents that occurred during this holiday.
“The major causes of fatal road traffic accidents have been observed to be speeding, inattention, misjudgement, overtaking errors and failure to observe road rules and regulations which can all be attributed to human error,” he said in a statement.
“We urge drivers to travel at safe speeds considering the condition of the roads and safety of other road users. Pedestrians are also being urged to be observants when crossing any road and should check other sides of the road to make sure it is safe to cross before doing so. Motorists should be patient, considerate and observant on approaching roads under construction or repair.”
Asst. Comm Nyathi also warned Public Service Vehicle operators who were conducting inter-city movements but failing to comply with Covid-19 regulations.
He said some of these Public Service Vehicle operators were carrying passengers exceeding the allowed threshold of 50 percent while others were ferrying standing passengers.
“The law will be applied to the bus crew and operators. Pirate and mushikashika vehicles will be impounded and action taken on the owner as well as on the police officers who are allowing them passage on the roads,” said the national police spokesperson
He also warmed all beer halls bar and night club operators who breached the Covid 19 regulations that arrests are being effected with appropriate action now in motion to make sure that Liquor Licensing Board complies with the government’s stance to revoke all licenses for operators who are not complying with the law.
“Operators who defied the law during th Easter holiday in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and other towns are being dealt with. Police will make sure that licenses confiscated are handed over to the relevant Government arms for the stipulated penalties to be effected,” Asst. Comm Nyathi said.
“The public is therefore urged to continue supplying information on this errant beer hall or nightclub operators for decisive action to be taken. Police will avail statistics on the operation in due course.”
