The Zambia Police Service has recorded a total of 125 road traffic accidents during this year’s Christmas period, from December 24-26, 2018, compared to 234 road traffic accidents recorded over the same period last year, a reduction of 109.
In a press statement issued, Wednesday, Zambia Police Public Relations Officer Esther Mwaata Katongo stated that out of 125 road traffic accidents recorded during the Christmas period this year, 12 were fatal road traffic accidents in which 13 persons were killed; 15 were serious road traffic accidents in which 22 persons were seriously injured; 26 were slight road traffic accidents in which 31 persons were slightly injured, while 72 were damages only road traffic accidents.
She explained that the reduced numbers in road accidents was mainly attributed to improved compliance of motorists to road safety due to increased presence of road traffic officers during this year’s festive season.
“There was a great improvement in compliance levels by motorists and other road users due to increased presence of traffic police officers and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) officers on major roads. These joint operations have continued. In 2017, during Christmas period, there were 164 casualties compared to 66 casualties in this year’s Christmas holiday,” Katongo disclosed.
She narrated that there was also a corresponding decline in the number of fatal accidents during the period under review compared to last year.
“In 2017, during the same period, 18 fatal road traffic accidents were recorded in which 22 persons died showing a decrease in persons killed by 9; 32 were serious road traffic accidents in which 52 persons were seriously injured last year showing a decrease in seriously injured persons by 30,” Katongo stated.
“116 were damages only road traffic accidents in 2017 compared 72 damages only road traffic accidents recorded during this year’s Christmas period.”
She further stated that 68 were slight road traffic accidents recorded in 2017 with 90 persons sustaining slight injuries compared to 26 slight road traffic accidents recorded in 2018, with 31 persons sustaining slight injuries, showing a decrease by 42 slight road traffic accidents and a further decrease in people slightly injured by 64.
On reported criminal activities, Katongo revealed that this year’s Christmas period was generally peaceful, however, 70 cases of assault occasioning bodily harm (OABH) were recorded; 18 cases of theft recorded; 11 related to malicious damage to property; eight cases of breaking into a building and committing a felony therein, while seven cases of threatening violence were recorded; six for burglary and theft; five for house breaking and theft and another five cases recorded for unlawful wounding.
