Zambia Police has recorded an increase in the number of road traffic accidents, fatal road traffic accidents, people injured, and people killed in accidents in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the second quarter of 2017.

In a statement issued to News Diggers! yesterday, Zambia Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo stated that a total of 7,713 road traffic accidents were recorded in the second quarter of 2018 as compared to 7,252 road traffic accidents recorded in the same corresponding period in 2017.

“In the second quarter of 2018, a total number of 7,713 road traffic accidents were recorded compared to 7,252 recorded during the second quarter of 2017 indicating an increase by 461 road traffic accidents. Out of 7,713 road traffic accidents recorded in 2018, 399 were fatal road traffic accidents in which 487 people were killed compared to 432 people killed in the same period in 2017. This shows an increase by 55 persons killed and also an increase in the number of fatal road traffic accidents by 71. 831 were serious road traffic accidents in which 1,471 people were seriously injured compared to 2017 in which 1,353 people were seriously injured in 732 road traffic accidents. 2,405 people sustained minor injuries in 1,573 slight road traffic accidents compared to 2,067 persons slightly injured in 1,422 slight road traffic accidents recorded in the second quarter of 2017. The total number of casualties in accidents recorded in the second quarter of 2018 is 4,363 compared to 3,852 casualties in the second quarter of 2017 giving an increase by 511 casualties,” Katongo stated.

“Among the casualties in 2018, 362 were children under the age of 16 out of which 44 died, 131 were seriously injured and 187 were slightly injured. A total number of 10,430 motor vehicles were involved in road traffic accidents during the period under review compared to 9,770 motor vehicles involved during the same period in 2017. Most accidents in the second quarter of 2018 have been attributed to excessive speed, failing to keep to the near side (failing to keep to the lane), reversing negligently, and inexperienced driving. During the period under review, 36,359 road traffic offences were recorded compared to 38,114 road traffic offences recorded during the same period in 2017. Lusaka Province recorded 4,099 road traffic accidents with 113 deaths; Copperbelt had 1,179 road traffic accidents with 112 deaths; Central Province had 567 accidents with 58 deaths; Southern had 456 accidents with 33 deaths; North-Western had 405 accidents with 36 deaths; Eastern had 340 accidents with 37 deaths; Western had 176 accidents with 21 deaths; Luapula had 158 accidents with 28 deaths; Muchinga had 175 accidents with 23 deaths, while Northern had 118 accidents with 25 deaths. Airports division recorded the lowest with 40 accidents and one death.”

And Katongo has appealed to members of the public to help in the murder case of a 33-year-old woman in Kabwe who is believed to have been murdered after being raped.

“Police in Kabwe have launched investigations in the murder of a 33-year-old female adult of C. Gate in Kabwe whose body was picked today, 18th July, 2018, from an unfinished SDA Church building in Natuseko Site and Service in Kabwe,” stated Katongo.

“The victim is suspected to have been murdered between 22.00 hours on 17th July, 2018, and 06.00 hours on 18th July, 2018, by criminals. The body was discovered today, 18th July, 2018, at about 07.00 hours by a member of the public who later reported to police. The victim was found with injuries on the head and is suspected to have been raped before being murdered as the body was found naked. Pan bricks believed to have been used in the murder were found at the scene. The body is in Kabwe General Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem. We appeal to members of the public who could have information that can be useful in the investigations to report to any nearest police station.”