The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has disclosed that Zambia is contributing about 1,200 fatalities to the global accidents recorded every year.
Road Transport and Safety Agency Executive Director Fredrick Mwalusaka says of all the fatalities, over 50,000 people left permanently injured.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mwalusaka made the disclosure in a statement ahead of the commemoration of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2020, a resolution which was passed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly this year, which falls on May 11.
Mr. Mwalusaka told ZANIS that RTSA has partnered with the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organisations to champion the cause of road safety.
He said the Decade of Action signifies the commitment and support for the global initiative to dedicate the next ten years to curb the ongoing disaster which has destroyed and claimed millions of lives in Zambia and across the globe.
He noted that the Decade of Action was aimed at addressing the noted and worrying tremendous global burdens of fatalities and injuries from road crashes and giving countries an opportunity to work together in reducing road traffic accidents.
Mr. Mwalusaka said it was unfortunate that road crashes were the number one cause of deaths for young people in Zambia and worldwide adding that according to World Health Organizations (WHO) reports, road traffic accidents kill more than 1.3 million people and injure about 50 million people every year.
He has, however, urged all Zambians to put to use all preventative measures to modify the road user behavior in order to save lives.
He added that it was detrimental that money meant for national investments which needs immediate attention was redirected to emergencies resulting from avoidable road accidents.
ZANIS
LET THE COUNCIL CLOSE ALL BARS BY 20.00 AND ALSO GET ALL TAVERNS THE KACHASU SELLERS TO COMPLY AND THE ACCICENTS FATALATIES WILL DECLINE. BY 50% IN NO TIME. MOST ACCIDENTS ARE DUE TO HEAVEY DRINKING BY MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS ESPECIALLY IN LUSAKA. BRING STRICT LAWS ON ALCOHOL AND BAN ALL ALCOHOL ADVERTS FROM THE BILL BOARDS.
Poor roads, Drink driving, Unroadworthy cars, Poor licensing (usually bought not tested), Irresponsible and careless driving – Period. And dull politicians.
why and how is this so ..?what ought to do if we have to safeguard our lives..?
The CEO himself has contributed to this number of fatalities and went scot free, he killed an innocent boy along ndola kitwe road for overspeading. Just because he is related to the late MWANAWASA…wait in PF we wont have suh things because all vehicles will be road worthy. How can a road surveyor head RTSA he knows nothing abot road transport
@ Rev. Dr. Chief Iwe Ninshi No# 2, hahahahahahaha that has made my day.
Another very poorly written story. If 1200 is from Zambia what is the global total? The third from last para should therefore immediately follow the first para. What are 1200 fatalities? deaths? Then just say so. Dont copy and paste. translate for the reader.
number 1 behave…. leave alone alcohol… accidents are accidents… fool?
Quite some way of getting onto the map of the world!!!!