Govt concerned with loss of lives on roads

Government is concerned with the continued loss of lives especially of young people through road traffic accidents.

Speaking when he officiated at the launch of the child safety programme by the Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) in partnership with Puma Energy Foundation and the international road safety NGO-Amend in Lusaka this morning, Works, supply, transport and communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga in a speech read for him by his deputy Richwell Siamunene says government is concerned with loss of lives especially of young people because the future of the country depends on them.

Mr. Mukanga says the country cannot afford to lose children to road traffic accidents.

He says the PF government recognizes children’s vulnerabilities as well as their inexperience on the roads.

Mr Mukanga states that government is looking at a fresh approach to providing road safety to children by placing heavy emphasis on developing safer roads and changing the attitude of drivers.

He further states that his ministry will work to ensure that new residential roads have traffic calming measures that reduce speed to address the safety of children which will include infrastructure engineering measures such as putting speed humps, pedestrian crossing and improved signage at crosswalks.

And speaking earlier, Zambia Road Safety Trust Chairperson Daniel Mwamba says improving the safety of child pedestrians will help reduce the inequality of the risk faced by children and young people from poor areas.

And Puma Energy board Chairman Jacob Sikazwe has appealed to all road users to make roads safer for children by adhering to road rules set by the Road Transport and Safety Agency.