The recent long weekend has cast a somber shadow over Zambia as road traffic accidents (RTAs) surged, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries, according to police reports. A total of 319 incidents were recorded, with 25 proving fatal and claiming the lives of 27 individuals. Additionally, 42 accidents caused serious injuries to 78 people, highlighting the severe impact on public safety.
A detailed breakdown of the incidents shows that 67 RTAs resulted in slight injuries to 131 individuals, while 185 accidents led to property damage only. Lusaka Province reported the highest number of incidents with 106 RTAs, followed by Copperbelt and Central Provinces, which recorded 57 and 38 accidents respectively.
Other regions also experienced significant numbers of incidents: North-Western reported 26 RTAs, Southern 21, and Eastern and Muchinga Provinces each recorded 18 incidents. Luapula had 14 accidents, Northern 11, and Western reported 10 incidents during the period.
A comparison with the same period in 2023, when 308 RTAs were recorded, reveals a concerning rise in road accidents. Last year, there were 18 fatal incidents resulting in 28 fatalities, and 41 serious injury RTAs that caused injuries to 109 individuals.
Authorities attribute the majority of these accidents to low compliance levels among motorists and motorcyclists. They emphasize the urgent need for enhanced enforcement and public awareness campaigns to reduce such incidents.
Danny Mwale, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, urged the public to prioritize road safety measures, stressing the importance of responsible driving and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent future tragedies.
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