The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has given a 14-day ultimatum to seven Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers to exculpate themselves for exceeding speed limits or have their driving licences revoked.

In separate letters dated October 23, 2019, addressed to the seven drivers, RTSA acting director and chief executive officer Gladwell Banda observed that the seven drivers had on several occasions opted to exceed speed limits with impunity, thereby, putting the lives of the travelling public in danger.

RSTA head of public relations Fredrick Mubanga named the seven affeced PSV drivers as Lenard Musukuma, Martin Mapisa, Kelly Siame, Yuberd Simwala, Kendrick Simusikwe, Allan Chitabankana, and Morgan Sikaumba, in a statement issued on Monday.

“According to the Global Position System (GPS) installed on 88 long-distance buses and monitored by RTSA, the seven drivers were singled out to have violated speed limits on several times to an extent of driving at the ranges of 120Km/h to 145Km/h against the prescribed speed limit for PSV buses on highways, which is 100Km/h, thus, posing serious danger to the travelling public. Therefore, RTSA acting director is evoking Section 68 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002, which empowers his office to revoke a driving licence, if in the opinion of the director, the conduct or character of the holder of such a licence render to be unfit to drive such a vehicle from the point of view of the safety of the public. The seven drivers are: Lenard Musukuma, Martin Mapisa, Kelly Siame, Yuberd Simwala, Kendrick Simusikwe, Allan Chitabankana, and Morgan Sikaumba,” Mubanga stated.

And he disclosed that the Agency was taking a proactive approach to monitor the speed of PSV buses through GPS in a bid to mitigate the risk of road traffic accidents on Zambian roads.

“The Agency is of the view that PSV drivers are expected to drive with due care bearing in mind the level of responsibility they assume. Therefore, the continuous conduct to drive above the prescribed speed limits, is a serious road safety concern. RTSA is taking a proactive approach to monitor the speed of PSV buses through GPS in a bid to mitigate the risk of road traffic accidents on Zambian roads,” stated Mubanga.