Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo says 26 people died whilst 59 others were seriously injured in road traffic accidents which occurred during the Easter Holiday.

In a statement, Tuesday, Katongo stated that there was an increase in the number of deaths recorded this year compared to the same period last year.

“During 2018 Easter holiday, 260 Road Traffic Accidents were recorded countrywide, out of which 23 were fatal road traffic Accidents in which 26 people died, 26 serious road traffic Accidents in which 59 people were seriously injured, 73 were slight injury accidents while 138 were damages only accidents. A comparison with the same period in 2017 has revealed that there has been an increase in the number of Road Traffic Accidents recorded this year by 48 and also an increase in the number of deaths recorded by nine (09),” stated Katongo.

“Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of Road Traffic Accidents with 116, followed by Copperbelt with 33, Eastern and Southern had 24 each, North Western, 21, Central, 13, Muchinga, 10, Luapula, nine (09) while Northern and Western Provinces recorded the least with 5 Road Traffic Accidents each. Most of the causes of the accidents that happened during this period have been attributed to human error hence the need for motorists to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations. Last year, there were 202 road traffic accidents, 15 were fatal, and 47 serious while 57 were slight injury accidents”.