ROAD Transport and Safety Agency chief executive officer Zindaba Soko with Vice-President Dr Guy Scott during the inspection of Lusaka –Kabwe Road yesterday. The Vice-President made an on-the-spot check at some black spots on the highway, which has recorded high accidents. – Picture by CHANDA MWENYA.
By JIMMY CHIBUYE
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott yesterday said Zambia needs to adopt and implement the Swedish model of recording zero road traffic deaths per year.
Dr Scott said there is need to reduce road accidents which are now at more than 2,000 per year.
The Vice-President said this when he conducted an on-the-spot check of “black spots” on the Lusaka-Kabwe road yesterday.
He said the high number of accidents recorded on the road is worrying and there is need for an urgent routine maintenance of the highway.
“We can find our way to the Swedish idea of zero deaths instead of 2,000 plus because this is too much loss for this country. We need to have routine maintenance of this road,” he said.
Dr Scott, who was accompanied by Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) chief executive officer Zindaba Soko and senior Government officials, said most road traffic accidents are caused by human error, which is a result of deficient signage.
“Human error on this road is possible because we have deficient signage and deficient engineering. The dotted lines have faded away and this is difficult for drivers to make of the road,” he said.
The Vice-President said apart from road signage, there is also need to have more police checkpoints on the highway.
Dr Scott directed Minister of Central Province Obvious Mwaliteta to ensure quick interventions to reduce accidents on the road.
And Mr Soko said there is need to paint reflective road signs on the road because they are more effective than those currently in place.
He said painted road signs are more visible and cannot be easily damaged or vandalised.
And Mr Mwaliteta said accidents on the road are caused by human error on the part of drivers.
He said many drivers encounter challenges on the road because they do not have enough rest.