OVER 2000 people died in road traffic accidents in 2016, says police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo.
In a statement today, Katongo noted that Zambia had recorded a decrease of 1,314 road traffic accidents in 2016 compared to 2015
“During the year 2016, a total number of 32,350 Road Traffic Accidents were recorded throughout the country while in 2015; the country recorded a total number of 33,664 indicating a decrease of 1,314 accidents. Out of the 32,350 accidents, 1, 682 were fatal, 3, 262 serious injuries, 5,683 slight injuries while 21,723 were Damages only,”Katongo stated.
“In 2016, 2,206 persons were killed in road carnages across the country, whilst in 2015, 2,113 deaths were recorded, thus, indicating an increase by 94 persons killed. For serious injuries; 6,432 persons were recorded in 2016, while 6,413 persons were recorded in 2015 indicating an increase by 19 persons seriously injured. Out of the 2,206 persons killed, 237 were juveniles amongst them 137 were boys while 100 girls all below the age 16.”
She stated that records of persons who had been slightly injured in accidents had decreased by 118; from 8,574 in 2015 to 8,456 persons in 2016.
Katonga disclosed that the lowest number of accidents was recorded in Northern Province with 542 accidents which claimed 76 lives compared to Lusaka which topped the list with 17,317 accidents claiming 452 lives.
“Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of accidents at 17,317 where 452 persons were killed while Northern Province recorded the lowest number at 542 with 76 persons killed. Copperbelt Province had 5,561 reports with 280 persons killed, Central Province recorded 2,251 with 254 persons killed, Southern Province had 1,757 with 128 persons killed, Eastern Province recorded 1,600 with 160 persons killed, North Western had 1,326 with 95 persons killed, Western Province had recorded 689 with 73 persons killed, Luapula recorded 684 with 71 persons killed and Muchinga had 623 with 76 persons killed,” Katongo stated.
Katongo attributed most accidents to speeding and misjudging clearance distance.
“Statistical data indicate that most of the accidents have been attributed to excessive speed at 14.7%, misjudging clearance distance 14.6%, failing to keep to the near side 12.8% whilst cutting 10.9%,”stated Katongo.
