The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) say they are concerned over the increase in accidents involving trains and motor vehicles, especially at railroad crossings.
NRZ spokesperson Fanuel Masikati told NewsDay on Wednesday more than 80 such accidents had been recorded countrywide claiming 25 lives since 2009.
“We have observed with concern the appalling and worrying increasing incidences of rail and road level crossing accidents in the country in recent weeks and months, throughout the country,”he said.
“We continue to lose precious human lives almost every month.”
Masikati said the latest incident occurred on August 1 at Mbizo level crossing where one person died on the spot and five others were seriously injured when a commuter omnibus rammed into a goods train.
“From about 2009 to date, there have been 85 accidents countrywide, which have claimed 25 lives at rail and road crossings,” he said.
“This year alone, from February to date, we have had over 10 accidents.”
“We urge all drivers to put on a human face when driving on our roads, so as to protect and save precious and irreplaceable human lives,” he said.
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“All motorists are reminded that as they are taught during driving lessons, that they should always observe and exercise extreme caution, when approaching railroad level crossings.”
One of the tragic accidents that happened in the past at a railroad level crossing was when 34 commuters died after their bus rammed into a goods train travelling from Harare to Bindura on March 6 2007.
