Tinotenda Hove – The Zimbabwe Republic Police has reported that 30 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents during the 2026 Easter holidays, according to official statistics released this week.

In a statement dated 8 April 2026, police said a total of 337 road traffic accidents were recorded during the holiday period, a decrease from 384 accidents reported during the same period in 2025.

Despite the overall drop in accidents, fatal crashes slightly increased. “During the 2026 Easter Holiday, a total of 337 road traffic accidents were recorded compared to 384 accidents during the same period in 2025. Of these, 22 were fatal accidents resulting in 30 deaths, compared to 21 fatal accidents in 2025 which claimed 24 lives,” the police said.

The number of people injured in road accidents also declined significantly, dropping from 178 in 2025 to 104 in 2026.

Police noted that there were no major road traffic accidents involving public service vehicles during the holiday period, a development seen as a positive outcome in efforts to improve road safety.

However, authorities highlighted a tragic incident that occurred just before the Easter holiday period. “On the eve of the period under review, on 02 April 2026, a fatal road traffic accident was recorded where six family members were killed when a Toyota Corolla vehicle had a head-on collision with a truck at the 246km peg along the Harare–Masvingo Road,” the statement read.

The latest figures come amid ongoing calls for increased road safety awareness, stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, and greater caution among motorists, particularly during peak travel periods such as public holidays.