In a significant stride towards prioritizing child road safety, the Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) proudly collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zambia to unveil crucial school improvements in four key institutions across Lusaka. The selected schools included Kabanana Primary School, Kalingalinga Basic School, Lusakakasa Primary School, and the host venue for the launch, Jacaranda Combined School.
At the launch event, Dr Saleban Omar, Senior Advisor for Climate Change and Environment, represented the UNDP’s Resident Representative, James Wakiaga. Dr Omar highlighted the successful construction of safe infrastructure achieved under the UNDP Creating Cities for Non-Motorised Transportation Users Project in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The project was implemented by ZRST, a local NGO, working collaboratively with the UNDP, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Road Transport and Safety Agency to address the escalating road traffic accidents and pedestrian fatalities in Lusaka.
Globally, avoidable road accidents claim over 3,500 lives daily, resulting in approximately 1.3 million preventable deaths each year (World Health Organization, 2021). In Lusaka alone, 2,240 people lost their lives due to road traffic accidents in 2022, signaling a 76% increase in fatal road accidents since 2021. Urgent action is imperative to prevent 115,000 deaths over the next 30 years. To combat this alarming trend, Lusaka is championing safer journeys to school by reducing vehicle speeds and enhancing infrastructural improvements to separate students from traffic.
In his remarks at the launch, Dr Saleban Omar expressed the UNDP’s commitment to ensuring safe roads for students. He highlighted the effectiveness of measures such as raised zebra crossings, rumble strips, footpaths, bollards, and signage installed in the four schools. These interventions aim to provide safe access to learning environments for enrolled students, contributing to the objectives of the Creating Safe Cities for Non-Motorised Transportation Users project funded by the UN Road Safety Fund in Zambia.
Daniel Mwamba, Chairman of the Zambia Road Safety Trust, emphasized the alarming statistics from Zambia Police, revealing that more than a quarter of all road traffic deaths in Zambia involve children. Mwamba stressed the importance of private sector involvement in championing child road safety initiatives, describing it as a moral imperative and a strategic decision that directly impacts the nation’s future workforce.
Mwamba stated, “What would be the point of all the investment in schools if so many children get killed and injured just trying to access them?” He called for active participation from the private sector, emphasizing that investing in the safety of children on the roads is crucial for the nation’s prosperity and productivity.
The UNDP echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that safe roads and cities contribute to broader sustainable development efforts in Zambia. Safe roads not only enhance the health and well-being of pedestrians but also promote environmental sustainability and equitable access to key public institutions and services. The collaboration between ZRST and UNDP represents a pivotal step towards creating a safer environment for Zambia’s youngest citizens, aligning with the vision of a prosperous and secure future for the nation.
