ZRST concerned with increasing number of pedestrians hit by cars

The Zambian Road Safety Trust (ZRST) has observed a sharp rise in the number of pedestrians hit by cars in the past two years and want it to stop.

ZRST Chairman Daniel Mwamba says In 2014, 816 pedestrians were killed whilst an estimated 13,017 people were injured in traffic crashes according to Zambia Police Traffic information.

He says the 816 pedestrian fatalities in 2014 represented an increase of 30 percent from 2013 citing that In 2014, pedestrian deaths accounted for 44 percent of all recorded traffic fatalities.

Mr. Mwamba explains that as many as 277 pedestrians were killed in Lusaka alone followed by Copperbelt in which 152 died.

He adds that as a country, there is need for long-term planning on how the country is going to make the roads better and safe for pedestrians given that the numbers are rapidly increasing.

Mr. Mwamba says there is also need wider footpaths and more public road safety awareness campaigns that target vulnerable road users.

He has further appealed to motorists and pedestrians to be careful and observe road safety rules to avoid accidents.