HARARE - The country’s holiday road carnage has risen from 200 to 210, eight days before the end of the official festive season.

National police spokesperson Andrew Phiri yesterday said Harare province tops the list.

The festive season is recorded from December 15 to January 15, according to the police.

Declared the bloodiest festive season ever by the police, 1 353 accidents have been recorded so far which left 1 053 people injured.

“As schools open, we appeal to motorists to exercise caution when driving on our roads. We urge them not to speed but take people’s lives seriously,” Phiri said.

He said 114 people of the 1 053 injured sustained serious injuries.

The law enforcement agents said the state of the county’s roads has also contributed to the increase in accidents recorded, but said a high number were caused by negligence.

This year’s figures have surpassed last year’s records which stood at 147 deaths from 1 304 accidents.

With more traffic expected this week in most highways due to the opening of schools tomorrow, police fear more people could die if motorists fail to adhere to road regulations. - Xolisani Ncube