ZAMBIA RECORDED 8,970 ROAD ACCíDÉNTS IN THE 3RD QUARTER OF 2024
Lusaka…. Thursday October 17, 2024
The Zambia Police Service has revealed that during the third quarter of 2024, a total of 8,970 road traffic accidents were recorded compared to 9,888 in 2023.
The Service says of these, 469 were fatal accidents, resulting in 550 deaths.
Zambia Police Service Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga says a further 879 serious injury accidents were reported, leaving 1,412 individuals seriously injured, while 1,974 slight injury accidents resulted in 2,597 minor injuries.
Mr Hamoonga added that 5,648 accidents were classified as damage-only, causing property damage but no injuries.
“The majority of road traffic accidents occurred along the line of rail provinces.
- Lusaka Province recorded the highest number with 4,714 accidents (52.6%).
- Copperbelt Province followed with 1,155 accidents (12.3%).
- Central Province registered 835 accidents (9.3%).
- Southern Province accounted for 556 accidents (6.2%),” he disclosed.
“The remaining provinces recorded the following:
o North-Western: 459 accidents (5.1%)
o Muchinga: 300 accidents (3.3%)
o Eastern: 288 accidents (3.2%)
o Luapula: 287 accidents (3.1%)
o Northern: 205 accidents (2.9%)
o Western: 171 accidents (1.9%).”
In terms of monthly distribution, Mr Hamoonga said the highest number of accidents was recorded in July with 3,092 accidents, followed by August with 3,023 and September, with the lowest at 2,855 accidents.
“The total number of road traffic accidents decreased from 9,888 in 2023 to 8,970 in 2024, reflecting a reduction of 918 accidents. However, while fatal accidents increased by 9, from 460 in 2023 to 469 in 2024, the number of fatalities decreased from 581 to 550, a reduction of 31 lives lost,” the ZP Spokesperson said.
“Similarly, serious injury accidents decreased from 941 in 2023 to 879 this year, with the number of seriously injured persons dropping from 1,791 to 1,412—a reduction of 379 casualties. In contrast, slight injury accidents rose from 1,930 to 1,974, although the number of minor injuries decreased from 2,758 to 2,597. Damage-only accidents also saw a notable decline, falling from 6,557 in 2023 to 5,648 in 2024—a reduction of 909 accidents.”
Mr Hamoonga further said out of the 4,559 casualties recorded in the third quarter of 2024, 375 were children under the age of sixteen.
He stated that tragically, 62 children lost their lives, while 108 sustained serious injuries and 205 suffered minor injuries.
“The most vulnerable groups in these accidents were:
- Pedestrians
- Motor vehicle passengers
- Drivers
- Motorcycle drivers and passengers
- Cyclists and cycle passengers
Road and Driver Analysis. Most accidents occurred on highways (3,535), followed by streets (1,539), other roads (1,357), avenues (1,210), closes (756), and crescents (73).
The section recorded 12,071 licensed drivers, while 1,260 drivers were found to be unlicensed,” he indicated.
“Among these, 10,477 were male drivers, and 2,846 were female drivers. Hit-and-run incidents remain a concern, with 45 fatal accidents, 91 serious injury accidents, 117 slight injury accidents, and 274 damage-only accidents recorded under this category.”
Meanwhile, Mr Hamoonga further disclosed that a total of K18,241,710 was collected as admission of guilt fees during the third quarter of 2024, compared to K11,625,496 collected in the same period in 2023, representing an increase of K6,616,214.