TRANSPORT and Infrastructural Development deputy minister Michael Madanha has said 27% of road fatalities recorded last year were due to speeding.
BY MUNESU NYAKUDYA
Speaking at the launch of the fourth Global Road Safety Week, Madanha said speeding was at the centre of the traffic injury problem, adding that 90% of all road crashes were preventable since they were caused by human error.
“According to the research on the causes of road traffic injury, speed contributes to around one-third of all fatal road traffic crashes in high income countries and up to 50% in low and middle income countries,” Madanha said.
“In Zimbabwe 27% of the 38 620 road crashes recorded last year were attributed to speeding.”
Madanha said the rapid motorisation in Zimbabwe had also resulted in the increase of risks of deaths and injuries. He also promised that his ministry would prioritise road safety.
The government recently worked on the completion of the Plumtree-Harare-Nyamapanda Highway, which recorded the highest number of fatalities.
Work on the dualisation of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road is expected to begin soon.
