Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
A total of 51 people died in road accidents in Bulawayo between January and November this year, a 76 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Between January and November last year 29 people were killed in road accidents. The city recorded a general increase in road accidents in 2015 compared to the same period last year.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade attended to the accidents where 1,809 people were hospitalised with serious injuries in 2015.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Richard Peterson yesterday said: “We recorded a 76 percent increase in number of people who were killed in road accidents between January, 1 and November, 31 this year. In 2015, 51 people died in road accidents while 29 people died in the same period last year,” he said.
“Between January and November, 31 this year the brigade attended to 968 road accidents compared to 878 accidents last year,” said Peterson.
He said the number of people who escaped with injuries increased by 21 percent as 1,809 people were hospitalised in 2015 while 1,499 cases were recorded last year.
Peterson said commuter omnibuses are the major contributors of road accidents.
“We attend to road accidents caused by kombi crews almost on a daily basis. We want to urge bus and kombi drivers to observe the rules of the road,” he said.
Peterson said negligence and alcoholism were leading causes of road accidents.
He urged motorists to prioritise lives and avoid being carried away by the festive mood.
Peterson urged motorists to be wary as roads had become slippery because of the rains.