Police record reduced accident incidents in second quarter of 2019
By Staff Reporter
The second quarter of 2019 has recorded a slight drop in road traffic accidents out of which 387 were fatal, with 458 deaths.
In a statement today, police spokesperson Esther Mwata-Katongo stated that Lusaka had continued to register the highest number of accidents due to increased number of vehicles.
“A total number of 7,687 road traffic accidents were recorded out of which 387 were fatal in which 458 persons were killed, 775 were serious road-traffic accidents in which 1,313 persons were seriously injured, 1,348 were Slight injury road traffic accidents in which 2,046 persons were slightly injured. This brings the total number of casualties to 3,817,” Katongo stated. “Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents with 4,135, followed by Copperbelt with 1,294 whilst Northern Province recorded the least with 132 road traffic accidents. In comparison with the second quarter of 2018, 7,713 road traffic accidents were recorded as compared to 7,687 road traffic accidents which were recorded in this year’s second quarter. The figures show a reduction by 26 road traffic accidents.”
During the period under review, 387 fatal road traffic accidents were recorded where 458 persons were killed in the second quarter of 2019 compared to 399 in which 487 persons died the same period last year.
“The records show a reduction by 11 fatal road traffic accidents and 29 persons killed. 1,471 persons were seriously injured in 831 serious road traffic accidents recorded in the second quarter of 2018 as compared to 1,313 persons seriously injured in 775 serious road traffic accidents in 2019.There is a decrease in serious road traffic accidents by 56 and 158 persons seriously injured respectively. 1,573 were slight injury road traffic accidents in which 2,405 persons were slightly injured in 2018 as compared to 1,348 slight road traffic accidents where 2,046 persons were slightly injured in the second quarter of 2019.The figures show a reduction in persons slightly injured and slight injury road traffic accidents by 359 and 225 respectively,” she said.
For damage only road traffic accidents, 5,177 were recorded in the second quarter of 2019 as compared to 4,910 recorded in 2018.
“During the same period 35,415 road traffic offences were recorded in which K11,533,572.00 was raised as admission of guilt fines,” Katongo said.
She attributed reduction in accidents to the presence of police officers on major roads and accident prone areas as well as general compliance to road traffic rules and regulations by the motorists and other road users.
