The Sunday News
Sunday News Reporters
THE country recorded a slight decline in road traffic accidents on Christmas Day compared to the same period last year, with police calling on motorists to continue being cautious on the roads. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said this year the country also recorded a decline in deaths, injuries and the number of vehicles impounded for defects and being unroadworthy.
“On 25 December we recorded a total of 81 road accidents compared to last year’s 87, of those, there were four deaths and 64 injuries of which in 2014 there were 10 deaths and 69 injuries. A total of 121 vehicles were impounded for defects and being unroadworthy compared to last year’s 149. In terms of arrests there were 7 017 compared to last year’s 7 045,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He further urged motorists to be vigilant on the roads so as to avoid further accidents.
“We continue to urge motorists to observe speed limits and passengers not to be negligent. Motorists must observe all road rules and regulations so as to avoid more accidents,” said the national police spokesperson.
Among the deaths, Chief Supt Nyathi said in Shangani a 23-year-old man was run over by a haulage truck after he fell asleep under the truck’s trailer. He said the truck driver had stopped at Shangani Business Centre to buy some items and afterwards had driven off without noticing that there was a man who had fallen asleep under the trailer.
“We urge drivers to be careful and check their vehicles, even under them before they drive off because those are basic driving principles that have to be observed to avoid such mishaps,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.
Meanwhile, five people died while five others were seriously injured when a Nissan Sunny collided head-on with a Corsa Lite along the Gweru-Zvishavane Road yesterday morning.
Police officer commanding Zvishavane District, Chief Superintendent Edward Ncube confirmed the accident which occurred at the 80,5km peg along Gweru-Zvishavane road at around 6am. Chief Supt Ncube said the Nissan Sunny which had six people on board was heading towards Zvishavane while the Corsa with South African registration numbers was Gweru bound with four people on board.
He said four people who were aboard the Corsa Lite died on the spot while one passenger from the Nissan Sunny died upon admission to Zvishavane District Hospital.
“I can confirm that five people died in an accident at the 80,5km peg along Gweru-Zvishavane road when two vehicles a Nissan Sunny and a Corsa Lite with South African registration numbers collided head on. Preliminary investigations indicate that on approaching the 80km peg the driver of a Nissan Sunny encroached onto the right lane resulting in the head on collision. Four people died on the spot while the other died upon admission to Zvishavane District Hospital,” he said.
In South Africa, four Zimbabweans were killed while two others were critically injured when a Land Rover they were travelling in was involved in a head on collision with a haulage truck along the N1 highway between Makhado and Musina towns.
The four are family members.
Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronnel Otto said yesterday that the accident occurred at around 4.45am.
“We are still investigating the exact cause of the accident, though initial indications are that the two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision which killed the father, mother and two children (girls) aged 14 and two years.
“Two other boys aged eight and seven years who survived are admitted to Luis Trichardt Memorial hospital where their condition is critical. The Land Rover was travelling to Zimbabwe, while the Zimbabwean haulage truck was heading towards Johannesburg,” she said.
She said the truck driver was also critically injured as a result of the impact adding that he was taken to Luis Trichardt Memorial hospital. The deceased were taken to Makhado Government Mortuary. Col Otto withheld the victims’ names saying their next of kin were yet to be advised.
