THE Christmas holiday continues with its bloody trend with police confirming the deaths of over 30 people as of mid-day on Unity Day.

According to statistics released by the police, Monday, Masvingo thus far has the highest fatalities although spokesperson Paul Nyathi could not at the time of going to press provide a breakdown of all the other provinces.

Nyathi also revealed that the festive season that officially began on December 15 has seen 470 accidents over 100 more than last year’s total of 515 this year.

The police media chief added that there has also been a notable increase in the number of people injured in traffic accidents this year, rising by just under a 100% from 138 last year to 262.

Police, according to Nyathi, have also impounded no less than 1200 un-roadworthy vehicles and issued a staggering 52150 tickets for various road offences.

As of January 7 2013, police had issued 13 278 and this year’s figure already represents a shocking 300% increase at least three weeks before the holiday comes to an end.

This would translate to over half a million dollars in fines accrued by the police if an average of the minimum $10 is used. Police have over the years been allowed to use the money they raise from traffic fines raising questions around accountability issues.

Nyathi blamed human error for most of the accidents citing in the majority of cases, speeds over the limit, drunken driving, overtaking errors, misjudgement, and failure to give way on intersections.

“We advise all drivers to observe all road rules and regulations, to respect passengers and other road users by driving at the stipulated speeds, overtaking correctly, judging correctly and giving way at intersections and junctions,” said Nyathi.

“We appeal to motorists, especially of public service vehicles, to desist from carrying excess passengers. The major challenge that we have of vehicles which will be having excess passengers is that when they are involved in accidents, they kill more people”.

Source: New Zimbabwe