Road accidents leading cause of death- Mukanga

Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga says road traffic injuries were the leading cause of deaths in the country.

Mr Mukanga said road carnages were increasing due to human factors such as fatigue, drunk driving, failure to obey laid down rules and lack of proper use of road traffic signs.

In a speech read on his behalf, by communications deputy minister, Richwell Siamunene at Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka, Mr. Mukanga said government was losing a lot of money in taking care of road traffic accident victims.

Mr Mukanga added that road carnages if not attended to, would became a number one killer in Zambia.

The Minister commended the National Road Safety Foundation for organising a Road Safety Intervention workshop to explore avenues of addressing the road carnages.

And speaking earlier, Lusaka Mayor George Nyendwa stressed that road accidents could be minimised if time was invested in sensitising and educating motorists on following laid down traffic rules.

He said the Lusaka City Council would ensure that adequate road traffic signs are put in strategic places to guide road users.

And National Road Safety Foundation Vice- chairperson Ravi Devalia explained that road safety campaigns were an important tool for reaching out to specific target groups of road users designed to change their behaviour.

Mr. Devalia said stakeholders such as government, local authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Mass Media should get involved in safety campaigns.

He said the improved standards awareness can help reduce the financial burden placed on healthcare and death expenses caused by accidents.