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Crime Reporter 

Police have urged motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations to curb road accidents.

This comes after 37 people were killed, while over 100 were injured countrywide in road traffic accidents recorded since last week.

During this year’s Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, four fatal road traffic accidents occurred on August 12 and August 13, 2024 in Marondera, Harare and Nyanga.

At least 16 people were killed while 77 others were injured in 149 accidents recorded during this period.

During the same period last year, 15 people died while 76 others were injured in 134 road accidents recorded.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The recorded statistics show that the number of total road traffic accidents increased from 134 to 149 and the number of fatal accidents decreased from 12 to eight. However, the number of fatalities rose from 15 to 16 and injuries remained relatively consistent, with 76 reported in 2023 and 77 in 2024.”

He said some road traffic accidents recorded during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays were caused by reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding and overtaking errors. 

“For instance, in a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on 13th August 2024 at around 0645 hours at corner St Patricks and Seke Road, the accident was caused by an overtaking error after a Toyota Hiace kombi carrying 15 passengers tried to overtake a Mazda Bongo Van which was intending to turn right. 

“Subsequently, the Toyota Hiace kombi went on to collide head-on with a Nissan Caravan Kombi, resulting in the death of three people and injury of 32 others,” he said.

In another road traffic accident which occurred on August 12, 2024, at around 10PM along Magadzire-Dazi dust road near Nyagoma Village, Tangwena in Nyanga, a Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 12 passengers overturned after developing a mechanical failure while ascending a steep hill. 

As a result, three people were killed while six others were injured.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that motorists should be patient on the roads and avoid overtaking when it is not safe to do so. Motorists should also prioritise the servicing of vehicles to ensure they are fit and secure to carry passengers or goods on the roads. 

“Drivers should not speed in situations which are not safe to do so. Above all, drivers should adhere to all road rules and regulations in order to curb the continuous loss of lives through road traffic accidents,” Comm Nyathi said.

On August 8, five family members were also killed while four others were injured when a Ford Ranger collided head-on with a Honda Fit near Marondera.