• 1,404 were fatal road traffic accidents.
• 2,783 were serious road traffic accidents.
• Lusaka Province recorded the highest number.

The Zambia Police Service says a total number of 28,484 road traffic accidents were recorded last year of which 1,404 were fatal road traffic accidents in which 1,690 persons died.
In a statement made available to Money FM News, Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo Mwaata said 2,783 were serious road traffic accidents in which 4427 persons were seriously injured while 5,729 were slight injury road traffic accidents in which 8,190 persons were slightly injured and 18, 568 were recorded as Damage Only road traffic accidents.
Ms Katongo noted that Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents with 15,740, followed by Copperbelt with 4,466 Central with 2,026 Southern with 1,455 North Western with 1,145, Eastern with 1,079, Luapula with 700, Muchinga with 631, Western with 609 and lastly Northern Province with 502 road traffic accidents.
She added that in comparison with the year 2019, the figures show a reduction in road traffic accidents by 2,164.
“In 2019, 1462 were recorded as fatal road traffic accidents in which 1746 persons were killed as compared 1404 fatal road traffic accidents where 1690 persons were killed in 2020.The record shows a decrease in both fatal road traffic accidents by 58 and in persons killed by 56,” she said.
Ms Katongo explained that 2940 were recorded as serious road traffic accidents in which 5012 persons were seriously injured in 2019 as compared to 2783 serious road traffic accidents where 4427 persons were seriously injured in 2020. The figures still show a decrease in serious road traffic accidents by 157 and in persons seriously injured by 585.
She says 5,713 were slight injury road traffic accidents in which 8,149 persons were slightly injured in 2019 as compared to 5,729 slight road traffic accidents where 8,190 persons were slightly injured in 2020. The figures show an increase in both slight road traffic accidents and in persons slightly injured by 16 and 41 respectively.
“On damage only road traffic accidents, 20,533 were recorded in 2019 as compared to 18,568 recorded in 2020 which shows a decrease in Damage Only road traffic accidents by 1,965,” she said.
“Furthermore, 128,529 road traffic offences committed in 2020 where K 45,844,721.00 was raised in admission of guilt fines compared to 2019, where 145,984 road traffic offences were recorded from which K 44,731,459.00 was raised in admission of guilt fines.”
She says this shows a reduction in recorded road traffic offences by 17,455 while the money collected as admission of guilt fines has risen by K 1,113,262.00.
Ms Katongo explained that most of the accidents were attributed to human error of which 4,432 were accidents as a result of Excessive speed representing 15.6%, Misjudging clearance distance, 4,186 representing 14.7%, Failing to keep to near side 4,017 representing 14.1%, Cutting in 2,305 representing 8.1%, Reversing negligently 1,981 representing 6.9%
“According to data obtained from Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) a cumulative motor vehicle volume has increased to 853,909. Last year a total number of 31,027 vehicles were imported and registered in the country,” Ms Katongo said.
“Despite, the increase in motor vehicle volume, the country has recorded a reduction in road carnage and this can be attributed to increased compliance levels by all road users which was as a result of enhanced stakeholder collaboration and increased Road safety awareness campaigns conducted through radio, Television and schools.”
She further says the joint operations between the Zambia Police Service and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) during festive seasons and long holidays have also helped to reduce road traffic accidents.
Ms Katongo adds that Police will continue to work in collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the safety of the general public on roads. This will be done through community awareness programs and Law enforcement which includes intensified patrols on public roads.