By Ollus Ndomu
Zambia witnessed a tragic toll on its roads over the just-ended four-day holiday period, with 27 lives lost and numerous others narrowly escaping death in road traffic accidents (RTAs). As the country returned to normal business activities today, the aftermath of the holiday was marked by intensive efforts from the Zambia Police and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to handle the fallout, including clearing wreckages and attending to fatalities.
According to RTSA records, a total of 319 road traffic accidents were reported during the holiday period, with Lusaka province recording the highest number at 106 incidents. Out of these, 25 accidents were classified as fatal, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals. Additionally, 42 people sustained serious injuries, while 78 others were reported as less seriously injured.
Zambia Police Public Relations Officer Danny Mwale provided further details, noting that Copperbelt and Central provinces recorded 57 and 38 accidents, respectively. Comparing this year’s statistics to the same period last year, Mwale highlighted an increase of 11 incidents, with 308 RTAs recorded in 2023.
“In 2023, there were 18 fatal accidents resulting in 28 fatalities, with 41 incidents causing serious injuries that affected 109 individuals,” Mwale reported.
Financially, the RTSA collected K694,835.00 in Admission of Guilt fines during this year’s holiday period, representing a notable increase from K585,300.00 collected in 2023. Mwale attributed the rise in accidents to low compliance levels among motorists and motorcyclists regarding traffic regulations.
The tragic spike in road accidents underscores ongoing challenges in road safety management and enforcement across Zambia. Authorities continue to stress the importance of adherence to traffic laws to mitigate further loss of life and injury on the nation’s roads.
For more updates on road safety and traffic developments, stay tuned to AfricaWorld Reports.
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