17 more killed as carnage continues

SEVENTEEN more people have been killed in 738 road traffic accidents recorded since the start of the festive season on December 15. This brings the holiday death toll to 64.

The number of people injured as of yesterday was 311. During the same period last year, 123 people had been killed and 599 injured in 793 recorded accidents.

National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said the major causes of the accidents were speeding, overtaking errors, inattention, misjudgement, failing to give way and following too close behind the vehicle ahead such that braking time was greatly reduced when the need arose.

“We have also impounded 997 vehicles for various defects, and police have issued 67 821 tickets to motorists for various traffic offences,” he said.

Chief Supt Nyathi said Masvingo had the highest number of deaths so far (15), followed by Manicaland (nine) and Mashonaland East and Central (seven each). Harare and Matabeleland South have recorded six deaths each while Matabeleland North and Mashonaland West have five deaths each.

Two deaths were recorded in Midlands while Bulawayo has one.

The Christmas and New Year holidays are usually associated with a high number of road accidents.

Chief Supt Nyathi urged motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations.

Last year, more than 200 people died while close to 1 000 were injured in road traffic accidents during the festive season, which runs from December 15 to January 15.

Chief Supt Nyathi said they would continue mounting roadblocks on the country’s major roads and carrying out patrols to curb criminal activities.

Last week, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri said motorists and public transport operators who break road traffic rules and regulations would be severely punished.

Last year, more than 200 people died and close to 1 000 were injured in road traffic accidents during the festive season, which runs from December 15 to January 15. The Herald