By EMMANUEL ZIMBA –
MORE than 1,000 deaths have been recorded from 16,000 road traffic accidents during the first half of this year, the Road Transport and Safety Agency has said.

. Soko

RTSA chief executive officer Zindaba Soko said at a Press conference in Lusaka yesterday that 1,028 fatalities were recorded, a representation of 19 per cent from last year’s 865 recorded during the same interval.
Most of the road mishaps were caused by human error, including drink-driving as well as unfit motor vehicles and unlicensed drivers.
He said there had been persistent unacceptable road user behaviour and road engineering deficiencies which also contributed to the road accidents.
However, RTSA has put in place various interventions to curb road accidents and enhance publicity and enforcement of the law.
Mr Soko expressed worry over the current number of un-licensed drivers as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.
“We are at implementation stage of a more robust and electronic system to manage all road transport and safety matters and will be launched and made available for use to members of the public by end of
December this year,” he said.
The technology would enhance curbing human interference in the processing of road transport services.
The driver’s licence would be digital with fool-proof facilities allowing traffic inspectors to detect fraudulent licences.
Mr Soko said the agency would by next year translate the Highway Code into seven local languages and in Chinese to stem the accidents.
“During the second quarter of 2015, the agency did conduct mobile licensing and examinations to facilitate for drivers and motor vehicles in remote parts of the country.
“The exercise covered the whole country and a total of 988 motor vehicles were examined and only 777 were certified fit, and 211 not fit for road use, 4,347 drivers were tested for drivers’ licences and
2,471 passed while 1,876 failed the test,” he said.
Mr Soko said the agency would conduct weekly operations with zero-tolerance which would include random testing for drunk-drivers.