32, 350 road traffic accidents recorded in 2016

Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba

A total of 32, 350 road traffic accidents were recorded in the year 2016 compared to 33, 675 in 2016 representing a 4 percent reduction in road traffic accidents.

Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba says though there was a slight reduction in the number of accidents, the figures are still high and pose a challenge to attaining the vision of reducing road traffic accidents by 50 percent by 2020 as envisioned in the United Nations Decade of Action.

Mr Mushimba has cited the causes of road accidents as among others poor road conditions, inadequate road safety features, unregulated systems regarding the repair of motor vehicles as well as lack of necessary skills for those repairing vehicles.

He has told parliament in a ministerial statement that government has undertaken some measures to reduce road accidents which include the introduction of new road safety statutory instruments as well as preparing the required amendment to the Road Traffic Act of 2002.

Mr Mushimba further disclosed that government through RATSA will certify and accredit on an annual basis any institutions in the business of training drivers in an effort to regulate, standardize and enhance driving training.