Human Error Remains The Biggest Cause Of Road Carnage

By Shingirai Vambe

In Manicaland – Eight people died in three separate accidents that occurred along the Harare-Mutare highway yesterday.

The accidents which occurred in a space of 12 hours happened between Rusape and Mutare.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyati confirmed the accidents beginning with the first one which took place in Nyazura around 6am at 192 km peg from Harare.

Nyati told Post On Sunday that a Honda Fit and a Toyota Raum were involved in a head-on collision after the driver of the Raum failed to negotiate a curve and encroached into the lane of an oncoming vehicle (Honda fit).

Two people died on the spot while the other 5 died on admission at Rusape General Hospital.

Both vehicles were carrying family members going opposite direction.

Four members who were in the Honda fit survived except a 10 year old boy who died at Rusape general Hospital.

The four family members survived despite their vehicle catching fire due to the impact of accident.

Few hours later on the same road at 212 km peg near Clair, a driver of a Toyota Hilux failed to negotiate a curve, veered off the road, hitting a pedestrian (boy aged 13) and went on to hit a tree and he died on the spot.

The young boy was rushed to Rusape General Hospital where is reported to be in a stable condition.

In the third incident which occurred at around 5pm a Toyota Hilux D4D, reportedly veered off the road, rolled three times at the 185 km peg near Zimati injuring four people who were taken to Rusape General Hospital for admission.

It is alleged the driver of the Toyota Hilux tried to overtake while there was an oncoming vehicle in another lane and tried to go back to his lane and failed leading to the accident.

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) have become a public health concern which needs to be urgently addressed using a multi-disciplinary approach including, desisting from using mobile phones when driving.

Nyati said it was worrying that road users are failing to observe road instructions and engaging in over speeding.

He said this failure to adhere to road rules makes it difficult to prevent road accidents especially with the current weather conditions, were tyres are exposed to hit and become prone to bursting.

“Police are still conducting investigation on the causes of these accidents” Nyati said

The public has however condemned the response by our Ambulance and Fire brigade services for failing to respond in time when such accidents happen after well wishers assisted in all three accidents by carrying the survivors to Rusape General Hospital for attention.