Zambia Records Decrease in Christmas Road Fatalities Despite Increased Accidents
The Zambia Police Service has reported a notable reduction in fatal accidents during this year’s Christmas holiday season, attributing the positive trend to collaborative efforts from the community and partners in promoting road safety.
According to Rae Hamoonga, the Police Public Relations Officer, a total of 281 road traffic accidents were recorded from December 24th, 2023, at 18:00 hours to December 26th, 2023, at 06:00 hours. Among these, 15 were fatal, resulting in 16 fatalities.
Additionally, 40 accidents were classified as serious, leading to 71 serious injuries, while 68 were categorized as slight accidents, causing injuries to 95 individuals. Furthermore, 158 incidents were documented as damage-only accidents.
Lusaka province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents, with 127 reported incidents, followed by Copperbelt Province with 27, Southern with 22, and Central and Eastern provinces with 19 each. Other provinces reported varying numbers, with Northern Province recording the least at 9 road traffic accidents.
Comparing this year’s statistics to the Christmas holiday of 2022, there has been an increase of 84 road traffic accidents. However, there was a notable decrease in fatal accidents, from 22 in 2022 to 15 in 2023, resulting in seven fewer fatalities.
Mr. Hamoonga highlighted that the police recorded 40 serious road traffic accidents during the Christmas holiday of 2023, compared to 21 incidents in 2022. This increase in serious accidents led to 39 more individuals sustaining serious injuries than the previous year.
Slight road traffic accidents also saw an increase, with 68 incidents in 2023 compared to 41 in 2022. The number of persons slightly injured rose by 37 in comparison.
Despite the overall increase in accidents, the Zambia Police Service emphasized the importance of responsible driving in preventing accidents and preserving lives. The decline in fatal accidents indicates the positive impact of adhering to road safety regulations. As a result, the police urged motorists to continue embracing safe driving practices and to remain vigilant on the roads.
In addition to the accident statistics, the police reported issuing a total of 931 road traffic offenses during the Christmas holiday period. A total of K 487,335.00 was raised as Admission of Guilty Fines, reflecting a reduction of K 32,869.00 compared to the previous year. This reduction highlights the potential impact of increased awareness and adherence to road safety regulations.
