37 pedestrians killed in Christmas period accidents… Jaywalking and earphones blamed

A shocking thirty-seven pedestrians were killed on Zimbabwe’s roads in just twelve days this Christmas, with authorities directly blaming jaywalking and the use of earphones for the high death toll.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police festive season report for 15 to 26 December 2025 reveals that pedestrians accounted for 37, over a third of the one hundred total road fatalities. This disturbing figure has prompted urgent warnings from police about the dangers of distracted walking and not using designated crossings.

The overall road accident statistics show a dramatic worsening from the previous year. Total accidents more than doubled, rising from 1,211 to 2,412. Within this crisis, the loss of pedestrian life stood out as particularly alarming to authorities. Commissioner Nyathi P, the Chief Staff Officer for Press and Public Relations, expressed deep concern.

“The number of pedestrians killed during the period is disturbing. It is also sad to note that some pedestrians were struck by vehicles while walking on the road with cellphones plugged on earphones and listening to music.”

The police statement issued a clear, specific warning to the public, directly linking pedestrian behaviour to the fatalities. The combination of auditory distraction and illegal crossing created a lethal mix during the busy festive period.

Authorities emphasised that the simple act of listening to music while walking near traffic can have catastrophic consequences. The report urged a return to basic road safety principles for those on foot.

“Pedestrians are reminded to avoid jaywalking and always use designated crossing points such as pedestrian crossings and traffic controlled intersections,” the statement read.

This appeal is a core part of the police’s safety message, highlighting that responsibility for safety is shared between drivers and pedestrians.

While pedestrian behaviour was a major focus, the police data outlined a broader collapse in road discipline contributing to the dangerous environment. The overall fatality count rose from 77 in 2024 to 100 in 2025. Excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, and tyre failures on poorly maintained vehicles were cited as primary causes of the accidents that claimed lives.

The most serious single incident occurred on 17 December 2025 on the Harare-Nyamapanda Road, where a head-on collision killed ten people. This tragedy exemplified the high-risk conditions on major routes. Commissioner Nyathi’s statement connected these factors, noting that poor driver behaviour and vehicle defects endanger everyone, including pedestrians.

In their concluding remarks, the Zimbabwe Republic Police directed a forceful message to pedestrians alongside their appeal to motorists. The loss of thirty-seven lives has been framed as a preventable tragedy.

The authorities are clear that using earphones while walking near traffic and choosing to jaywalk instead of using safe crossings are decisions with potentially fatal outcomes. As the country moves towards the New Year holiday, the plea is for heightened awareness and personal responsibility from every road user to prevent further loss of life. *_-iHarare_*