Zambia has recorded a reduction in the number of deaths arising from road traffic accidents during the first quarter of 2018.

And in a statement, Wednesday, Police Spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo stated that 7,247 road traffic accidents were recorded in the first quarter of 2018 representing a difference of 179 from the 7,068 accidents recorded in 2017.

However, Katongo revealed that police raised K10,176,530 in admission of guilt fees, which was more than what they raised in 2017 by K88,720.

“During the first quarter of 2018, a total number of 7,247 road traffic accidents were recorded compared to 7, 068 recorded in 2017, indicating an increase by 179 road traffic accidents. Out of the total number recorded this year, 340 were fatal road traffic accidents in which 396 people died compared to 480 deaths recorded in 343 fatal road traffic accidents during the first quarter of 2017. This shows a decrease by 84 persons killed when compared to last year. 1,147 were serious road traffic accidents in which 673 persons were seriously injury during the period under review as compared to 1,187 persons seriously injured in 637 serious road traffic accidents recorded the same period in 2017, indicating a decrease by 40 persons seriously injured and an increase in serious road traffic accidents by 36,” stated Katongo.

“Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of accidents with 3,822 accidents with 106 deaths, followed by Copperbelt with 1,199 accidents with 89 deaths, Central had 460 accidents with 43 deaths, Southern had 409 accidents with 17 deaths, Eastern had 361 accidents with 30 deaths and Northern Province had 132 accidents with 13 deaths. Other Provinces are North Western with 344 accidents in which 36 people died, Muchinga had 192 accidents with 21 deaths, Luapula had 174 accidents with 30 deaths, Northern with 132 accidents with 13 deaths while Western Province had 124 accidents with 10 deaths. During the period under review, K10, 176,530 was raised in Admission of Guilt fines compared to K10, 265,250 raised in the same period last year.”