ZAMBIA: Authorities ban headset wearing, talking on phone while crossing roads

By: Ollus Ndomu

Authorities in Zambia have recently passed a law prohibiting pedestrians from crossing the road while wearing headsets or talking on a mobile phone.

Those who violate this regulation are subject to a fine of up to 1,000 kwacha ($16; £12), as stated in the new law.

Frederick Mubanga, the spokesperson for the body responsible for road safety, has stated that this law is intended to reduce the number of road traffic accidents.

“According to our analysis, over 50% of people that die from road traffic accidents are pedestrians. And in most cases, the pedestrians may not have used the roads correctly. As a way of regulating the conduct of pedestrians on the road, we needed to put up these measures so that those pedestrians using the road in an incorrect way are punished,” he told the journalists.

Mr. Mubanga also noted that the police will pursue arrest warrants against those who fail to pay the fine, and that the Zambia police and the road traffic agency have been given the authority to enforce the law.