Joint effort will spread the word about the dangers of motorists ‘under the influence’
Zambian Breweries has signed an agreement with the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) reinforcing its ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ programme, in time for the nation to start gearing up for festivities.
The campaign promotes responsible drinking and encourages the concept of alternatives to drinking and driving such as hiring a driver, renting a taxi or designating a friend to drive who won’t be drinking.
The partnership between Zambian Breweries and RTSA was reaffirmed this week during a signing ceremony attended by RTSA Chief Executive Officer Zindaba Soko, RTSA Deputy Director Safety Gladwell Banda, Deputy Director Transport Rodgers Nkandu and other officers covering education, publicity and enforcement.
Corporate affairs director of Zambian Breweries Ezekiel Sekele said: “Supporting responsible drinking behaviour is one of the core sustainable development priorities for Zambian Breweries. We are committed to the cause of spreading awareness and educating people on the importance of responsible drinking and have always done our utmost to encourage this.
It is also important to highlight that creation of awareness on general road safety is beneficial to both society and the operations of Zambian Breweries, and this drives sustainability in the fight to keep our roads safe for all road users, he added.
“By drinking and driving, you risk your life, those of your passengers and others on the road. Drinking and driving is a hazardous combination. It is not only irresponsible and dangerous: it’s also illegal. The partnership will also see the training of both Zambian Breweries and other drivers on road safety. This initiative has delighted us as a business’’, remarked Mr, Sekele
It is also important to highlight that creation of awareness on general road safety is beneficial to both society and the operations of Zambian Breweries, and this drives sustainability in the fight to keep our roads safe for all road users, he added.
“By drinking and driving, you risk your life, those of your passengers and others on the road. Drinking and driving is a hazardous combination. It is not only irresponsible and dangerous: it’s also illegal. The partnership will also see the training of both Zambian Breweries and other drivers on road safety. This initiative has delighted us as a business’’, remarked Mr, Sekele
RTSA Chief Executive Officer Zindaba Soko said: “Let me state here that as evidenced today, the agency is ready to partner with other stakeholders, which includes the private sector, in implementing strategies that will help combat the scourge of road accidents in the country.”
He warned of the heavy penalties for drink driving under the Road Traffic Act, under which drivers face heavy fines and possible imprisonment for driving under the influence of alcohol.
As long as you have that dull pf monkey soko leading rtsa nothing will change. Pf cadres just wait for month end to get paid while warming chairs in office
But that Soko signing while drunk. These drunkards why do you even write about them?
There is need for the application of stringent measures to curb the rate of accidents in zambia law enforcement needs to be tough on drunk drivers; unlicensed and uninsured drivers; over speeding drivers and vehicles without fitness. There is need to sensitise people on the need to observe the high way code a book that was not available in zambia for a long time GOD knows what all those new drivers learnt ! Then you wonder why there are so many accidents. Stop blaming witchcraft! Its simply lack of checks in a country known for the so called one for the road. Probably one to the grave!
good move.
any move towards road safety measures meant to curb road carnage caused by DUI drivers should be supported by well meaning Zambians.
i speak from experience as i survived one by the Grace Of God.
we were four in my car and i drove under the influence.
One just need to look around Zambians drinking hotspots and see how many private cars park outside who’s drivers are heavy drinkers! On weekends most drivers have a bottle of beer between their legs while driving.
Dunderheads at RATSA like Zindaba Soko mere empty suits getting paid lots of money doing absolutely nothing… if you really want to curb down on drink-driving lobby the govt to tighten the laws and also involve employers as well to take serious actions on employees who are charged with drink driving….subject them to a retest and safety course.
If you want participation of the private sector like ZB lobby the govt to increase tax on beer…not this publicity nonsense.
In England they want to introduce a law to breathlize people when entering a bar. If you’re positive you’ll not be allowed to enter. In zambia there was an uproar when government tried to restrict bar opening hours.
That still has me sad. People should have been cheering that president Sata was curtailing alcohol. No they were mad, if only they knew how much money and hospital bills we would be saving as a country.
Tax the alcohol, more and more.
More officers should be in parking grounds of drinking places. Any one seen drinking going to a car with intention to drive should be breatherlised and arrested on the spot if over the limit.
Making Beer, making Friends. Drink and socialise responsibly. Kubu tyanka! Ba Sekele, how will the Brewery keep the jobs!
As a beer commander on recess until December, I commend anybody who has castigated this move.