HARARE - Close to 75 percent of the festive season accidents were caused by drivers between the ages of 26 and 45, according to the Traffic Safety Council.

Speaking to the Daily News recently, managing director of the Traffic Safety Council, Obio Chinyere said the majority of accidents were due to youthful drivers’ tendency to take risks.

“Most accidents were caused by drivers in the 26 to 36-year age group which accounted for 57 fatal accidents followed by the 35 to 42-year age group which contributed to 43 fatal accidents,” he said.

“Human error can be singled out as the greatest contributor to fatal accidents as evidenced by 135 fatal accidents it contributed out of the 145 fatal accidents, translating to 93 percent,” he said.

Chinyere said young drivers have an inclination to try and impress their peers.

“They drive faster than anyone else and have poor hazard awareness skills,” he said.

He said some of the causes of fatal accidents were overtaking errors, loss of control due to speeding and the “misdirected” efforts by drivers attempting to cross flooded rivers.

He said 1 353 accidents have been recorded so far which left 1 053 people injured.

A total of 210 people died on the roads during the festive season, which police said was the “bloodiest” Christmas ever.