Zimbabwe has recorded a significant drop in road traffic accidents in the first quarter of 2025, marking a positive shift in the country’s ongoing efforts to improve road safety. According to the latest Transport Statistics Report released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), there was a noticeable reduction in the number of crashes, fatalities, and injuries compared to the last quarter of 2024.
The report shows that 12,808 road traffic accidents were recorded between January and March 2025, a 12.5% decline from the 14,640 accidents registered during the last four months of 2024. The decline represents a promising trend and suggests that current interventions to reduce road carnage may be beginning to bear fruit.
“The number of fatal accidents also declined by 15.5%, dropping from 449 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 378 during the first quarter of 2025,” the ZimStat report noted. “As a result, the total number of lives lost in road crashes also fell by 15.6%, with 464 deaths reported, down from 550 in the previous quarter.”
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) welcomed the latest statistics, describing the development as “encouraging,” though it stressed the need for sustained efforts. The council reiterated that human error remains the primary cause of road traffic accidents in the country, accounting for over 90% of the incidents.
Speaking on the figures, a TSCZ spokesperson highlighted the importance of continued public education campaigns aimed at changing driver behavior.
“While the statistics show improvement, we cannot afford to relax,” the spokesperson said. “Most of these accidents are avoidable. Speeding, distracted driving, failure to observe traffic signals, and fatigue are some of the common human errors we continue to see. Addressing these through education, enforcement, and technology remains our top priority.”
The TSCZ has intensified its road safety awareness campaigns over the past year, targeting public service vehicle operators, commuter omnibus drivers, and young drivers. These campaigns have included community outreach programs, workshops, media broadcasts, and roadshows across various provinces.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has also played a critical role in the improved road safety outcomes. The increased presence of traffic police officers on major highways, especially during peak travel periods, is believed to have contributed to deterring reckless driving and reducing accidents.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the ZRP national spokesperson, said enhanced visibility of law enforcement, tighter inspection of public transport vehicles, and swift responses to traffic violations have all had a measurable impact.
“We’ve stepped up patrols, conducted joint operations with the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), and arrested hundreds of drivers for operating unroadworthy vehicles or driving under the influence,” Nyathi said. “We are beginning to see results, but there’s still more work to be done.”
Zimbabwe Records Drop in Road Accidents in Early 2025
In addition to enforcement and education, infrastructure improvements have played a role in reducing accidents. The rehabilitation of major roads, installation of clear signage, and improved lighting in urban centers have made travel conditions safer in many areas.
However, road safety experts caution that more investment is still needed, especially in rural areas where road conditions remain poor and traffic enforcement is less consistent. These regions continue to record higher fatality rates due to narrow roads, lack of signage, and limited access to emergency services.
Commenting on the report, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the government remains committed to making Zimbabwe’s roads safer.
“The decline in accidents is a positive sign that our strategies are working,” said Mhona. “But we must remain vigilant and focused. Every life lost is one too many. Our long-term goal is not just to reduce accidents, but to create a culture of responsible and defensive driving across the country.”
In the coming months, the government is expected to roll out new digital tools, such as automatic number plate recognition systems and speed cameras, in more urban and high-traffic zones. These technologies are aimed at improving enforcement and deterring traffic violations in real time.
As Zimbabwe moves deeper into 2025, authorities say their focus will remain on three pillars: education, enforcement, and infrastructure. With continued cooperation among government agencies, civil society, and the general public, stakeholders believe the downward trend in road accidents can be sustained and expanded.
For now, the figures from the first quarter of 2025 offer a rare but welcome glimpse of progress in a sector long plagued by preventable tragedies.
