There was a marked decrease in the number of people who were killed in road traffic accidents during the Easter Holidays this year.
However, that shouldn’t be something to smile about because even a single death, on the road, remains a significant loss.
Thirty people we killed in 288 accidents recorded in the country during the Easter weekend.
Last year, 73 people died in 32 fatal accidents out of 264 recorded.
The number of people injured were 202.
In a statement, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said 30 people were killed in 288 accidents recorded from April 7-10.
Of these accidents, 16 were fatal and 153 people were injured.
“Police have noted with concern the number of fatal road accidents recorded during the Easter holiday,” said Ass-Comm Nyathi.
“It is disturbing to note that some of the accidents recorded during the period are attributed to human error, which includes speeding, inattention, misjudgement and failure to observe road rules and regulations by drivers.
“Most fatal road traffic accidents occurred during the night where travellers were moving in numbers in overloaded vehicles, mixing goods and passengers, in the process ignoring safety measures.”
He added:
“As the country prepares to commemorate Independence Day on April 18, police implore all motorists to be responsible on the roads and lead by example when it comes to road safety.
“Let us all play our part to make roads safe and not death traps.
“Above all, drivers should comply with all road rules and regulations in order to safeguard lives.”
In South Africa’s Eastern Cape province alone, 40 people died on the roads during the Easter weekend, double the number of those who perished during the same period, last year.
In Zambia, there were 208 accidents during the Easter weekend.
“During this year’s Easter Holiday, a total number of 208 Road Traffic Accidents were recorded, 22 were fatal in which 14 persons were killed, 24 were recorded as serious injury road traffic accidents in which 68 persons were serious injured, 47 were recorded as slight injury road traffic accident in which 60 persons were slightly injured.
“Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of RTAs with 95 followed by Copperbelt with 34, Luapula Province recorded 15 while Eastern Province recorded 12 RTAs.
“During the same period in 2022, a total number of 210 road traffic accidents were recorded country-wide as compared to 208 road traffic accidents recorded this year indicating a slight decrease by two,” noted the Zambian Observer.
