By Sarah Mlozoa

Police in the Eastern Region has registered a 28.8% decrease in fatal road accidents in the first six months.

Data collected from Research and Planning office has shows that from January to June 2020, the region registered a total of 72 fatal road accidents compared to 98 over the same period in 2019.

The report shows that, out of 72 fatal road accidents, 79 people died as compared to 111 people who died over the same period in 2019 representing 28.8% decrease.

According to the report, most of the accidents happen due to noncompliance on road traffic regulations such as reckless driving and most of the victims are pedal cyclists, passengers and pedestrians.

The report has further showed that, accidents in general have decreased by 11.5% after registering 348 cases in 2020 as compared to 393 cases registered over the same period in 2019.

On serious road accidents, the region registered 11.3% decrease after registering 71 accidents while 149 minor accidents were registered, representing a 19.2% percent increase.

Zomba being the lead district that registered a high number of road accidents after registering 181 accidents, followed by Mangochi 76, Balaka 52 while Machinga registered 39 road accidents.

Meanwhile, Police in the region has appealed to all road users to comply with road traffic regulations to reduce road accidents and has warned of stiffer penalties to law breakers.