During the fourth quarter from 1st October, 2023 to 31st December, 2023, a total number of 9549 road traffic accidents were recorded. 446 were recorded as fatal road traffic accidents in which 515 persons were killed. 905 were recorded as serious injury road traffic accidents in which 1585 persons were serious injured. 1855 were recorded as slight injury road traffic accidents in which 2772 persons were slightly injured. 6343 were recorded as damage only road traffic accidents.
Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents with 5526 representing 57.9%, followed by Copperbelt with 1027 representing 10.6%, Central with 756 representing 7.9%, Southern with 531 representing 5.5%, North-Western with 434 representing 4.5%, Eastern with 365 representing 3.8%, Luapula with 274 representing 2.9%, Muchinga with 243 representing 2.5%, Western with 221 representing 2.3% and lastly Northern Province with 172 representing 1.8%. During the quarter of 2023 3102 road traffic accidents were recorded in the month of October, 3267 in November and 3180 were recorded in December.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, a total number of 9070 road traffic accidents were recorded country wide as compared to 9549 road traffic accidents recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 that indicates an increase by 479 road traffic accidents.501 were recorded as fatal road traffic accidents in which 570 persons were killed in the fourth quarter 2022 as compared to 446 fatal road traffic accidents where 515 persons were killed in the fourth quarter. The figures indicate a reduction in both fatal road traffic accidents and in persons killed by 55 and 65 respectively.877 were recorded as serious injury road traffic accidents in which 1501 persons were seriously injured in the same quarter of 2022 as compared to 905 serious injury road traffic accidents where 1585 persons were seriously injured during in the fourth quarter of 2023. The figures show an increase in serious injury road traffic accidents by 28 and in persons injured 84.
A total 1670 were recorded as slight injury road traffic accidents in which 2482 persons were slightly injured in 2022 as compared to 1855 slight injury road traffic accidents where 2772 persons sustained minor injuries in the same period. The figures show an increase in both slight injury road traffic accidents and in persons slightly injured by 175 and 290 respectively.
The total number of casualties recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022 was 4553 compared to 4872 recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023. The figures show an increase of 319.
Out of 4553 casualties recorded in the fourth quarter 2022, 350 were children under the age of sixteen in which 196 were males and 154 were females. 55 were killed, 133 were seriously injured and 162 were slightly injured. Most of the casualties were pedestrians and motor vehicles passengers.
In the same quarter of 2023, Out of 4872, 408 were children under the age of sixteen in which 227 were males and 181 were females. 51 were killed, 135 were seriously injured and 222 were slightly injured. Most of the casualties were also pedestrians and motor vehicles passengers. The figures show an increase by 58 casualties to children under the age of sixteen as compared to the year 2022.
And lastly 6022 road traffic accidents were recorded as damage only in the third quarter of 2022 as compared to 6343 damage only road traffic accidents recorded in the last quarter of 2023. Damage only road traffic accidents increased by 321. Most of these road traffic accidents occurred towards and during weekends between 16:00 hours and 23:00 hours.
A total amount of K 16,630,857.00 was collected as admission of guilty fines in 2022 as compared to K 14,275,988.00 collected in the fourth quarter of 2023. The amount indicate a reduction in admission of guilty fines by K 2,354,869.00
Most of these accidents which occurred in the fourth quarter were attributed to human error as follows;

• Excessive speed 1579 representing 16.5%
• Misjudging clearance distance 1569 representing 16.4%
• Failing to keep to nearside 1449 representing 15.2%
• Reversing negligently 719 representing 7.5%
• Cutting in 715 representing 7.4%
  Despite an increase in road traffic accidents, the section recorded a reduction in fatal road accidents and in persons killed by 55 and 65 respectively. There was an increase in road traffic accidents by 479 due to noncompliance level by the road users. Lusaka province has continued recording the highest number of road traffic accidents due to high volume of motor vehicles against limited roads in the urban area.
  Rae Hamoonga
  POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER.