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Lusaka recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents in Zambia last year as the country reported a total of 35,731 cases, including 1,804 fatal accidents that resulted in 2,199 deaths.
Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, in a statement issued on Tuesday, disclosed that 3,450 serious accidents led to 5,798 serious injuries, while 7,511 slight accidents resulted in 10,123 minor injuries.
The remaining 22,966 were damage-only accidents.
Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of accidents at 19,180, followed by Copperbelt with 4,725, and Central Province with 3,182.
Western Province recorded the lowest at 726.
“In comparison to 2023, when 36,755 road traffic accidents were reported, 2024 saw a reduction of 1,024 cases.
However, fatal accidents increased from 1,687 in 2023 to 1,804 in 2024, with fatalities rising from 2,011 to 2,199,” Hamoonga said.
The report showed 1,310 casualties involving children under 16 years, with 201 fatalities—123 boys and 78 girls.
Additionally, 475 children were seriously injured, and 634 sustained minor injuries, primarily as pedestrians or vehicle passengers.
Human error was cited as the leading cause of accidents.
Excessive speed accounted for 7,034 cases, while misjudging clearance distance, failing to keep to the nearside, and disobeying traffic signs were also significant contributors.
In 2024, the Zambia Police Service collected K74,371,515 through admission of guilty fines, an increase of K16,128,972 compared to 2023.
Hamoonga attributed the overall reduction in accidents to intensified patrols, particularly in accident-prone areas and during public holidays and traditional events.
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