Road accidents kill 228 in North
Road accidents in the Northern Region killed 228 people last year, police statistics show.
The carnage, up from 168 deaths in 2016, sums up a tragic year in which accidents killed 2 459 nationwide. About 2 343 people in the country died two year ago.
Northern Region police deputy spokesperson Maurice Chapola said 27 deaths occurred last month.
“The number of accidents increased from 330 in 2016 to 333 in 2017 and the majority were due to reckless driving, especially over-speeding,” he said.
But Nation Publications Limited(NPL) investigative series recently revealed that poor roads and fraudulent provision of certificates of fitness were also to blame.
The Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS)and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB jointly unveiled an anti-corruption policy last week.
Chapola urged people against rushing to assault drivers when accidents happen—a tendency which fuels hit and run incidents.
He said police have intensified traffic checks to enforce law and order on the roads of Malawi.
They have established a toll-free number, 4040, which the public can use to report accidents and offences.
At the weekend, Bishop John of Ryan of Mzuzu Diocese launched a campaign in which church leaders will use religious gatherings to promote road safety. The Catholic bishop said passengers can save lives by reminding drivers to use roads responsibly n
