Road and Rail Accidentssurge in 2nd Quarter

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The latest transport statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency have revealed a concerning spike in both road and rail accidents during the second quarter of 2024.

Road traffic accidents surged by 9.6 percent in the second quarter, with 14 280 incidents reported between April and June. This marks an increase from the 13,026 accidents recorded in the first quarter of 2024. The number of fatalities also jumped, with 594 deaths reported compared to 448 in the previous quarter. Injuries related to road traffic accidents also saw a rise, increasing from 2 625 to 2 783.

The report has sparked renewed concerns over road safety across the country, with experts calling for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and better road conditions. The increasing number of vehicles on Zimbabwe’s roads, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, are highlighted as a significant factor contributing to the rise in accidents.

The rail sector also experienced a rise in accidents during the second quarter. A total of 54 rail traffic accidents were recorded, a significant increase from previous quarter. These included 47 shunting accidents and 7 mainline accidents. The statistics highlight ongoing safety challenges within Zimbabwe’s rail system, which has faced criticism over aging infrastructure and lack of modernization.

Both road and rail transport sectors are critical to Zimbabwe’s economy, but the escalating accident rates are raising concerns about the country's ability to maintain safety amid growing transportation demands. Authorities are expected to address these issues through policy interventions and improvements in transportation infrastructure.

The government, along with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, is under increasing pressure to respond to the rising trend in transport-related accidents, which continue to claim lives and cause significant economic disruption.

As part of interventions against this backdrop, government has since introduced speed limit devices for public transport vehicles, who have been attributed for reckless driving causing the loss of life over the years.