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Chronicle Reporter
Heroes and Defence Forces holiday traffic accidents and death toll have this year significantly dropped by 75 percent compared to the same period last year, national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said yesterday.Six people died on Friday morning when a Kukura Kurerwa bus collided with a two-tonne truck along the Bindura-Harare highway near Mazowe Citrus Estates. This remains the only fatal accident since the Heroes’ and Defence Forces holiday started.

In an interview yesterday Chief Supt Nyathi said police had maintained a heavy presence on the highways contributing to the reduction of                     casualties.
“We increased visibility on the highways through roadblocks, blitz and awareness programmes prior to the holiday and we believe this has contributed immensely to a reduction in the number of accidents recorded this year compared to the same period last year.

As at 9am today (yesterday) a total of six people died in road accidents compared to 24 last year. We have also recorded a total of 18 injuries compared to 129 last year. The accidents so far recorded across the country are 47 compared to 237 last year,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

He appealed to motorists to continue exercising caution on the roads, saying the police had impounded 27 vehicles for different traffic offences.
“We have so far impounded 47 vehicles and issued 262 tickets to motorists for various traffic offences. I would like to appeal to motorists to exercise caution on the roads, avoid travelling during the night and respect other road users.

Motorists must also remember that speed thrills but kills and that it is dangerous to drink and drive.
“As the police we will continue to work with other stakeholders to reduce accidents on our roads. These include the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration and public service transport operators,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

The TSCZ has since the start of the holidays been sending messages to the travelling public urging motorists to drive safely.