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Tobias Mudzingwa Herald Reporter
Harare Metropolitan Province accounted for over half of the 42 430 accidents recorded countrywide in 2017, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) has said. In a statement released by the council, last year saw a 10 percent increase in accidents from 38 620 in 2016.

Total deaths increased to 1 838 in 2017 from 1 721 in 2016, notching a 7 percent increase. Those injured from traffic accidents were, however, less in 2017 as the year recorded 10 489 injuries compared to the previous year’s 11 379, a modest 8 percent decline. In all the accidents that were recorded, the statement noted that 1 358 were fatal compared to those of 2016, which cumulatively amounted to 1 291. The TSCZ further noted that most accidents happened in Harare Metropolitan Province, where 23 140 accidents were recorded compared to 2016’s 20 124, a 15 percent increase.

Midlands and Mashonaland West provinces followed behind Harare with 2 621 and 2 511 accidents respectively. Although Matabeleland North recorded the least number of accidents (870), the number of deaths increased from 89 in 2016 to 102 in 2017.