ZANIS COPY-Human Rights Commission concerned about increased deaths in RTAs

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has expressed concern at the ever increasing number of deaths due to road traffic accidents on the Zambian roads.

HRC chairperson Pixie Yangilo has since called on all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to endeavour to fully understand and apply all road safety rules and regulations to prevent such tragic occurrences.

Mrs. Yangilo has however lauded the Zambia Police Service and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) for their efforts to increase awareness of road traffic regulations and ensure compliance in a bid to reduce the carnage on the roads.

This is contained in a press statement released to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka today by Commission Spokesperson and Chief of Information, Education and Training, Samuel Kasankha.

She implored the two institutions to not relent in their efforts and urged them to go a step further by increasing physical road patrols to curb recklessness on the Zambian roads.

Mrs. Yangailo said this in relation to the death of 51 passengers in a road traffic accident involving a Post Bus and a truck in Chibombo district last week.

“Life is a human right on which a very high premium was placed and as such, every effort must be made to protect every single life and ensure that everyone continued to enjoy it till they died of natural, unpreventable causes,” she said.

She added that, “I wish all bereaved families, some of whom had lost bread winners, God’s grace and mercies to be able to get over the tragedy”.

President Michael Sata declared three days of national mourning in honour of 51 passengers who died in the road traffic accident involving a Post Bus and a truck in Chibombo district last week.