Gov’t Launches Vision Zero to End Fatalities in Transport Sector
The Government has intensified efforts to curb rising road accidents by rolling out a comprehensive safety campaign aimed at eliminating fatalities in Zambia’s transport sector.
Speaking during the launch of the Vision Zero awareness campaign in Chongwe District, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, said the initiative seeks to build a culture of safety on roads and in workplaces, declaring that “no loss of life is acceptable.”
The campaign, championed by the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB), forms part of the Government’s wider strategy to protect workers, strengthen road safety, and boost national productivity. It aims to reduce road carnage through stronger enforcement, improved road infrastructure, and occupational health and safety standards.
“We believe that no loss of life on our transport network is acceptable, whether it involves passengers, drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, or cyclists,” Ms Tambatamba said. “This campaign challenges us to rethink safety and to make zero harm not just a goal, but a standard.”
She warned that transport-related accidents continue to cause immense human suffering and economic losses, including increased healthcare costs and lost labour.
Ongoing Government interventions include the Lusaka–Ndola dual carriageway project, enhanced traffic management under the Roads and Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2022, and implementation of the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy launched in 2023.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali revealed that Zambia records over 2,000 road fatalities annually, mainly due to speeding, drunk driving, fatigue, and vehicle defects. He urged motorists to take personal responsibility and called for collective action from transport operators, regulators, and the public.
To address persistent challenges, the Government has revised the National Road Safety Policy to align with Vision 2030 and the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030). Other measures include tightened driver training, vehicle inspections, and reforms in the public transport sector to improve professionalism and compliance.
Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata commended the campaign as a critical tool for reducing occupational risks across the country, while WCFCB Commissioner and CEO Patrick Siampwili said Vision Zero emphasises prevention, rehabilitation, and wellness.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) pledged continued technical and financial support through its Country Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, Wellington Chibebe.
Vision Zero is a global initiative led by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the ILO, promoting workplaces and transport systems that operate with zero fatalities, zero injuries, and zero illnesses.
