Harare, (New Ziana) – The country recorded 460 deaths from road traffic accidents between July and September this year, a marked increase compared to the previous quarter, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZimStat).
In its third quarter transport statistics report for 2023, ZimStat said 12 564 road traffic accidents were recorded during the period under review, a 3.2 percent decrease compared to the second quarter.
However, 460 deaths, a marked increase from the previous quarter’s 400 fatalities were reported, showing a 15 percent increase on the quarter-on-quarter comparison. At the same time, 2 624 injuries were recorded.
ZimStat said the third quarter witnessed 18 605 first time vehicle registrations, reflecting a 22.1 percent decrease from 23 849 vehicles that were registered during the second quarter. The number of light motor vehicles registered for the first time decreased by 18.9 percent from 17 772 during the second quarter to 14 405 in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the report said 61 644 candidates underwent certificate of competence tests during the third quarter, but less than half (43.2%) succeeded.
“In all provinces except Mashonaland East (59.3%), proportions of candidates who passed certificate of competence tests during third quarter 2023, were below 50 percent, ranging from 32.0 percent in Midlands to 47.3 percent in Harare,” the report said.
All the country’s airports reported more flights excluding military flights in the third quarter compared to the second quarter.
“During third quarter 2023, Victoria Falls International Airport recorded 4 652 flights, depicting a 21.9 percent increase from 3 815 in second quarter 2023. All airports recorded an increase in the number of passengers during third quarter 2023 when compared to second quarter 2023,” said the report.
The Inland water vessels registered for the first time during third quarter 2023 were 121, showing a 1.6 percent decrease from 123 in second quarter 2023.
During third quarter 2023, the volume of goods transported through rail was 662 589 net tonnes. A quarter-on-quarter comparison showed a 9.5 percent increase from 604 894 net tonnes recorded during second quarter 2023.”
The report was compiled using administrative data obtained from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), Inland Water Department, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and contains statistics pertaining to motor vehicle registration, road traffic accidents, drivers’ licence tests, flights and air passenger movements, inland water transport and railway tonnage transported.
Meanwhile, the wholesale Trade Index excluding motor vehicles and motor cycles stood at 176.6 in third quarter of 2023 reflecting a year-on-year percentage increase of 17.9 when compared to 149.8 recorded in the third quarter of 2022. The sub-sector recorded a quarter-on-quarter percentage increase of 10.8 when compared to 159.4 recorded in second quarter this year.
The Retail Trade Index was 120.9 in the third quarter, reflecting a year-on-year percentage increase of 6.3 when compared to 113.8 recorded in third quarter of 2022. The sector recorded a quarter-on-quarter percentage increase of 14.9 when compared to 105.3 in second quarter this year.
The Wholesale, Retail and Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles sub-sector recorded an index of 119.8 in the third quarter this year, representing a year-on-year percentage increase of 15.1 when compared to 104.1 recorded during the same period last year.
A quarter-on-quarter comparison shows a 1.9 percentage decrease when compared to 122.2 recorded in the second quarter of this year.
“The Distributive Trade Index (DTI) for 3 rd quarter 2023 was 142.8, increasing by 4.3 percent when compared to 136.9 in 3 rd quarter 2022. •
A quarter–on-quarter comparison reflects a percentage increase of 12.2 when compared to 127.2 recorded in the second quarter 2023.”
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