40 killed in Nimroz accidents last year

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): Forty persons have been killed and around 100 others wounded in traffic accidents last year in southwestern Nimroz province, an official said.

Cap. Mohammad Zarin, the traffic department director, said 2014 saw 27 passengers dying and 45 sustaining injuries in traffic mishaps.

He said most accidents resulted from speedy driving, drugs use among drivers and dilapidated road conditions.

At least 80 percent of the accidents happened on the Zaranj-Dilaram Highway, he said, adding that road mishaps could be avoided if drivers abode by traffic laws.

Abdullah, a bus driver, said the Zaranj-Dilaram road had extensively damaged at various locations by roadside bomb blasts, causing accidents. But passengers said most accidents occurred during night time.

Sayyed Nazar Ahmad Sadat, a tribal elder, said reckless driving was another factor where drivers did not care for the lives of passengers.

People said traffic police should be blamed for the increase in traffic accidents because they allowed drivers to violate traffic rules against bribes.

But the deputy police chief, Col. Rahmtullah Nasir, rejected police accepted bribes. He said traffic police had strict directions to enforce rules and regulations.

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