Road Accidents Claim 859 Lives in Three Months

A total of 859 people died in road traffic accidents in Zambia between July and September this year, as the number of accidents increased by 27 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Zambia Police Spokesperson CHIPO KAITISHA says police recorded 12,865 road traffic accidents during the third quarter of 2026, compared with 10,126 in the corresponding period in 2025.

Ms. KAITISHA says 747 of the accidents were fatal, while 1,202 resulted in serious injuries and 2,706 caused minor injuries. 

A further 8,210 accidents involved property damage only.

Ms. KAITISHA says Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of accidents at 6,325, followed by Copperbelt with 2,378 and Central Province with 1,194.

She says 560 children under the age of 16 were involved in road traffic accidents during the period. Of these, 91 died, 186 were seriously injured and 283 sustained minor injuries.

Ms. KAITISHA says police also recorded 410 hit-and-run accidents, including 68 fatal cases, while 119 resulted in serious injuries.

She says excessive speed was the leading reported cause of accidents, accounting for 3,014 cases, followed by misjudging clearance distance, failure to keep to the nearside and cutting in.

The Zambia Police Spokesperson says road traffic offences increased from 49,564 in the third quarter of 2025 to 50,100 during the same period this year.

However, Ms. KAITISHA says revenue collected from admission-of-guilt fines fell from about 22.6 million kwacha to 19.2 million kwacha.

She says police will intensify road safety campaigns and enforcement of traffic laws, particularly as the festive season approaches.

Ms. KAITISHA has urged motorists to observe speed limits, avoid drink-driving and mobile phone use while driving, wear seat belts and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.