Easter holidays claim 32 lives in 338 road accidents, Lusaka tops list with 6 deaths

Zambia Police have recorded a total of 338 road accidents resulting in 32 deaths, with Lusaka posting the highest.

These accidents occurred during the Easter holidays.

Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, said about 338 accidents were recorded, 24 were fatal, and 32 persons died.

He further stated that from the 338, 26 were categorised as serious road accidents, 59 persons were seriously injured, 78 were slight road accidents and 91 person slightly injured.

Hamoonga said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday that the number of road accidents during this year’s Easter holidays rose by 130 compared to the corresponding period last, which had 203 road accidents.

“21 were recorded as fatal road traffic accident in 2023 Easter holiday in which 24 persons were killed as compared to 24 fatal road traffic accidents where 32 persons were killed in this year’s Easter holiday,” Hamoonga stated.

He said Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of road accidents with 207 and six fatalities, followed by Copperbelt with 28 and two fatalities.

Central province was the third with 27 and five fatalities.

Hamoonga said Southern province had registered 21 road accidents and two fatalities, while Eastern province had 14 with two fatalities.

He added that Luapula Province had 12 road accidents with with nine fatalities and Western had 11 with one fatality.

North Western recorded nine road accidents, Muchinga had six with five fatalities and Northern registered three road accidents.

Hamoonga attributed the increase in the number of accidents to misjudging clearance distance, excessive speed, failure to keep to the near side, improper overtaking and disregarding traffic signs or signals.

Others are cutting, pedestrians crossing the road, failure to signal, negligent reversing, inattentiveness or distraction and other causations.

“A total amount of K557, 680.00 was raised as admission of guilty fines in 2024 compared K672, 860.00 raised as admission of guilty fines in 2023.

“The figures show a decrease in admission of guilt fines collected by K115,180.00,” he said.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.