Festive season road deaths surge despite reduced accidents

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reported a concerning increase in road traffic fatalities during the 2024 festive season, despite a slight decrease in the overall number of accidents.

According to a statement released yesterday, 401 lives were tragically lost in road accidents between December 15th and 26th, marking a grim increase from the 393 fatalities recorded during the same period in 2023.

While the total number of accidents declined from 1,454 in 2023 to 1,211 in 2024, the rise in fatalities highlights a critical safety issue.

Analysis indicates that most number of these fatal accidents occurred on public holidays such as Boxing Day, Unity Day, and Christmas.

The ZRP attributed many of these accidents to driver negligence, including speeding, fatigue, and inattention. Accidents involving pedestrians also contributed to the alarming fatality figures.

The ZRP has appealed to the public to report any instances of reckless driving to the nearest police station or through their dedicated complaints desk.