POLICE recorded a total of 234 road traffic accidents, in which 28 persons were killed over a four day period from December 24 to 28, 2020, says spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo
And Katongo says K528, 778.00 was raised in admission of guilt fines during this year’s Christmas holiday compared to K338,235.00 which was raised during the same period last year.
In a statement, Monday, Katongo stated that Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents which stood at 105 including five deaths, followed by Copperbelt Province which recorded 34 road traffic accidents with four deaths.
“During the Christmas holiday of 2020 a total number of 234 Road Traffic Accidents were recorded of which 18 were fatal road traffic accidents in which 28 persons were killed, 26 were serious road traffic accidents in which 33 persons were seriously injured, 48 were slight road traffic accidents in which 55 persons were slightly injured and 138 were damage only road traffic accidents. Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents with 105 with five deaths, followed by Copperbelt Province which recorded 34 road traffic accidents with four deaths, Central Province had 22 road traffic accidents, eight deaths, Southern Province had 16 road traffic accidents with two deaths, while Eastern Province had 16 road traffic accidents with four deaths,” read the statement.
“North Western Province had 10 road traffic accidents with one death, Northern Province had six road traffic accidents with one death, Western had four road traffic accidents with no death recorded, Luapula Province had 12 road traffic accidents with one death while Muchinga Province had six road traffic accidents with one death recorded.”
She noted that in comparison to 2019 during the same period, there was an increase by 95 road traffic accidents.
“In comparison with previous Christmas holiday of 2019, a total number of 139 road traffic accidents were recorded as compared to 234 recorded this year which shows an increase by 95 road traffic accidents. 18 were fatal road traffic accidents in which 21 persons were killed in 2019 Christmas holiday as compared to 22 fatal road traffic accidents where 28 persons were killed this year. The figures show an increase by four fatal road traffic accidents and seven in persons killed. In the holiday of, 2019, 15 were recorded as serious road traffic accidents in which 31 persons were seriously injured as compared to 26 serious road traffic accidents where 33 persons were seriously injured in 2020 Christmas holiday. The figures show an increase by 11 serious road traffic accidents and two persons seriously injured,” she stated.
“35 were recorded as slight road traffic accidents in 2019 where 53 persons were slightly injured as compared to 48 slight road traffic accidents where 55 persons were slightly injured. Just like in fatal and serious road traffic accidents, the figures show an increase in slight road traffic accidents by 13 and a slight increase in persons injured by two. On damage only road traffic accidents, 71 were recorded in 2019 Christmas holiday as compared to 138 recorded in this year’s holiday. The figures show an increase in damage only road traffic accidents by 67.”
Katongo said there was an increase in road traffic accidents that could be attributed to disregard of the traffic rules
“A total amount of K528, 778.00 was raised in admission of guilt fines during this year’s Christmas holiday compared to K338,235.00 which was raised in the 2019 Christmas holiday giving an increase by K190, 543.00. Despite the road traffic patrols being carried out by Zambia Police Service and Road Transport Safety Agency (RTSA), there is an increase in road traffic accidents that can be attributed to disregard for the Road Traffic Rules and Regulations by road users especially motorists. Police will continue with the intensified patrols both motorised and foot patrols on all major roads and accident prone areas to reduce road carnage,” stated Katongo.
