A total number of 120 road traffic accidents were reported during this year’s New Year holiday from 31st December, 2018 to 2nd January, 2019.
11 were fatal road traffic accidents in which 13 persons were killed, 14 were serious road traffic accidents in which 15 persons were seriously injured, 33 were slight road traffic accidents in which 35 persons were slightly injured and 62 were damage only road traffic accidents.
Zambia Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents with 52 whilst Muchinga Province recorded the least with 02 road traffic accidents.
Mrs. Katongo said in comparison with the same period last year, a total number of 237 road traffic accidents were recorded as compared to 120 recorded this year which shows a decrease by 117 road traffic accidents, 17 were fatal road traffic accidents last year in which 17 persons were killed as compared to 11 fatal road traffic accidents where 13 persons were killed showing a decrease in fatal road traffic accidents by 06 and in persons killed by 04.
She said in 2017, 40 were recorded as serious road traffic accidents in which 78 persons were seriously injured as compared to 14 serious road traffic accidents and 15 persons sustaining serious injuries in 2018/2019 New Year holiday showing a decrease by 26 in serious road traffic accidents and a decrease by 63 casualties seriously injured.
Mrs. Katongo said there were 54 slight road traffic accidents where 74 persons were slightly injured in last New Year holiday as compared to 33 slight road traffic accidents where 35 persons were slightly injured in this New Year holiday. The figures indicate a decrease by 21 slight road traffic accidents and a decrease by 39 casualties slightly injured.
“During the last year holiday 126 were recorded as damage only road traffic accidents as compared to 62 damage only road traffic accidents recorded this year which shows a reduction by 64.
A total number of casualties in 2017/ 2018 New Year’s holiday was 169 as compared to 63 casualties in this New Year holiday which shows a decrease by 106 casualties”, she explained.
Mrs. Katongo said there is a reduction in road traffic accidents and offences due to increased presence of Traffic Officers together with RTSA Staff on all major roads.
She said generally, there was compliance of road traffic rules and regulations by the motorists and pedestrians.
Mrs. Katongo attributed most of the accidents to human error such as excessive speed and pedestrians crossing the road without due care.
May the souls of the departed friends rest in peace and quick recovery to the injured. That’s why on such days I would rather stay indoors. Some people get over excited
Well done RATSA and the police. Am sure you can do even better to completely stop these untimely deaths.