Road Deaths Drop 25% During 2026 Heroes And Defence Forces Holidays, ZRP Reports
By Desire Tshuma
Harare – Road traffic accidents and fatalities recorded during the 2026 Heroes and Defence Forces Holidays declined compared to last year, with the Zimbabwe Republic Police attributing the drop to intensified road safety campaigns.
According to accident statistics released by ZRP on 12 August, 145 road traffic accidents were recorded between 10 and 11 August 2026, down from 196 during the same period in 2025. That represents a decrease of 51 accidents, or 26 percent. The number of fatal accidents remained unchanged at 13 for both years. However, the total number of people killed fell from 24 in 2025 to 18 in 2026, a reduction of 6 deaths or 25 percent. Injuries also dropped sharply from 96 to 51, a decline of 45 people or 47 percent.
ZRP said the improvement coincided with intensified road safety awareness campaigns conducted by police and other stakeholders ahead of the holidays. Authorities urged motorists to continue exercising caution, avoid dangerous overtaking, refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and practice patience on the roads.
An analysis of the 18 fatalities shows that no deaths involved public service vehicles. Nine people were killed in private or family-owned vehicles. The remaining eight deaths involved three ox-drawn scotch carts, one tractor, and one motorcycle. By road user category, passengers accounted for 9 deaths, pedestrians 5, drivers 1, motorcycle riders 1, and those on ox-drawn scotch carts 2.
Police listed human error and unsafe driving behavior as the major causes of accidents during the period. These included inattention or misjudgment, speeding, following too closely, dangerous overtaking, failure to give way, and reckless or negligent driving. Other contributing factors were driver fatigue, vehicle defects, poor road conditions, and pedestrian negligence. ZRP noted that speeding and reckless driving were particularly major causes of accidents recorded.
The deadliest crash occurred on 11 August 2026 at approximately 1630 hours at the 279km peg along the Bulawayo Road. A Mazda T35 carrying 29 passengers allegedly lost control, veered off the road and crashed. Four passengers died on the spot while 12 others sustained injuries.
ZRP said police will maintain high-visibility patrols and enforcement to sustain the downward trend in road carnage.
