Speeding and pedestrians at fault are the leading causes of road deaths to date, reinforcing the message that road safety is a shared responsibility as the national road death toll currently stands at 51 compared to 20 for the same period last year.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu says 22 cases were linked to speeding, 9 cases were due to pedestrians at fault, 7 cases were due to dangerous driving, 4 as a result of drunk driving, 3 were pedestrians who were under the influence of alcohol, 2 cases of hit and run, improper overtaking and driver fatigue.
He says the Western Division has to date recorded the highest number of fatalities, recording 24 reports, followed by the Southern Division with 16 cases, North with 6 cases and Eastern Division with 5 cases.
ACP Driu says as we head into the last six months of the year, Police are pleading with all road users to cooperate with stakeholders in adopting a change of mindset, in that speed limits and road rules should be adhered to at all times, and not only when police are present.
He says by continuously disregarding road rules in the absence of Police or other law enforcement agencies, you develop a dangerous habit of complacency which will lead to serious accidents or fatalities.
He adds Police reiterate that road safety should not be complied with just because police are present, but should be complied with at all times, as they are there for your safety.
ACDP Driu says there is more than one victim when a serious or fatal accident occurs.
He says families of the victims and offenders are both affected, and they are calling on drivers and pedestrians to adopt a change of attitude and mindset about their responsibilities as road users.
