ROAD traffic accidents claimed 2 015 lives last year in 52 288 accidents amid calls for stern measures to halt road carnage.
The statistics were revealed when officials from the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry appeared before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee led by Gokwe-Mapfungautsi legislator Tawanda Karikoga.
The report, which analysed data from 2010 to 2024, showed an upward trend in road fatalities, with 2 015 deaths recorded in 2024, one of the highest death tolls recorded in recent years.
The accidents recorded in 2024 also indicated a rise, given that 51 924 accidents were recorded in 2023 which claimed 2 099 lives, while 9 955 people were injured.
The report indicated that accidents are on the rise, with 51 107 accidents recorded in 2022 claiming 2 064 lives and leaving 10 401 people injured.
According to the report, Zimbabwe recorded fewer accidents during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 45 791 and 35 560 accidents recorded in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
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The accidents during the pandemic claimed 1 902 lives in 2021and 1 520 lives in 2020, while 8 711 and 6 920 people were injured, respectively.
According to the report, the majority of accidents were a result of human error, including speeding, reckless driving and failure to adhere to traffic regulations.
“Road carnage has emerged as a critical public safety crisis in Zimbabwe, marked by disturbingly high statistics that reflect the growing toll of traffic-related accidents on human lives and the economy.
“The frequency and severity of these incidents pose significant challenges to the nation, contributing to loss of life, severe injuries and extensive property damage, thereby straining healthcare systems and impacting socio-economic development,” the report said.
According to the report, the costs include healthcare expenditure for treating accident victims, loss of productivity due to injury or death and the emotional and financial burden placed on victims’ families.
“In response to this pressing problem, the ministry, through VID [Vehicle Inspectorate Department, the RMT [Road Motor Transportation] and TSCZ [Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe] has undertaken a series of strategic initiatives aimed at curbing road traffic accidents and fostering a culture of safety among road users,” the officials said.
According to the officials, in response to the crisis, the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry has introduced several regulatory initiatives aimed at curbing road traffic accidents.
“The ministry has invoked several statutory instruments and policies as part of a broader effort to improve road safety.
“Statutory Instrument (SI) 118 of 2023 makes the installation of speed limiting and monitoring devices in all public service vehicles mandatory, effective January 1, 2023.
“This legislative measure represents a strategic response to the escalating incidence of road traffic accidents. SI 118 of 2023 aims to curb road carnage by enforcing speed compliance among drivers of public service vehicles.”
The report said speed limiting devices, which cap the maximum speed at 100km/hour, significantly reduced the likelihood of accidents by ensuring that vehicles are operated within safe speed parameters.
