By Staff Writer
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has called on motorists to observe road safety as schools open for the first term, Monday January 24, 2022.
RTSA Head Public Relations Fredrick Mubanga said that Road safety remains a matter of great concern to RTSA and the general public, as the country continues to lose many people including children due to road crashes.
Mr Mubanga said according to the 2021 annual road traffic accident statistics released by the Zambia Police recently, the country lost 2,163 lives through avoidable road crashes, with 2, 988 nursing injuries.
He said some of those who died were young people among them students and pupils hence the emphasis on the need to drive safely.
Mr Mubanga said the increase in road traffic accidents is regrettable.
He said RTSA is critically analyzing the 2021 annual road traffic accident statistics to develop and deploy corresponding countermeasures in a bid to improve the country’s road safety prospects going forward.
“Therefore, as schools open next week, the RTSA appeals to drivers of both public and private vehicles, to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to ensure safety of children as they report to school,” he said.
Mr Mubanga urged travelers, including students going to school, are urged to adopt a safe system approach and report all road safety violations to the RTSA toll free line 983 or hotline 0955 983 983 for action.
