515 die in Central Region road accidents
The Central Region recorded 515 fatal road traffic accidents between January and November 2019, up from 486 at the same stage last year in the region, Acting Commissioner of Police, Evalista Chisale, has said.
Chisale was speaking in Lilongwe on Sunday night during Christmas and End of Year Party for Central Region Police officers.
She said the number of the fatal accidents is 10 percent more than the 468 who died in the region’s roads in 2018.
Chisale said 4,266 road accidents were recorded in the first 11 months of this year compared to 2,588 registered during the same period last year, representing a 64.8 percent jump.
“The number of deaths in recorded fatal accidents is a great loss to families and the government. What is more shocking is that most of these accidents could have been avoided if the drivers were mindful of their own safety and that of other road users.
“In the coming year, Central Region Police will double its efforts in identifying and implementing measures that will help in reducing road traffic accidents. This will be done in partnership with members of the general public and all our cooperating partners and stakeholders,” Chisale said.
World Health Organisation reports that 1,000 people are killed in road traffic crashes in Malawi every year and that 20 road traffic collissions occur every day in Malawi.
Last year, MPS reported that road traffic accidents increased by 35 percent compared to the year 2017 after registering 4 879 cases, up from 626 the previous year, due to speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to observe road signs, unlicenced drivers and use of unroadworthy motor vehicles.
Commenting on crime, Chisale said the region reported a 3.6 percent increase in the number of cases of crime from 15,649 in 2019 to 16,212 in 2019.
She said increases were recorded in crimes such as robbery with violence, burglary and theft, general theft and grievous harm.
Chisale said cases of defilement also went up by 9.8 percent from 549 to 603.
“The increase in reported cases of defilement is attributable to increased civic awareness on the evils of all forms of gender-based violence. This has increased a help seeking behaviour in the public and does not necessarily imply increased occurrence of sexual offences. Police victim support units have also increased public confidence in the police on the handling of these cases,” she said.
She lamented the increased numbers of human rights complaints against the men in uniform.
“These accusations tarnish the image of the police to say the least. Let us all strive to build a police service that is characterised by integrity, responsiveness, independence, professionalism, impartiality, transparency, accountability, dependability and commitment,” Chisale said.
