No Escape, No Sidewalks

Eng. Mateb says with no safe paths, vulnerable road users are left to die in traffic chaos.

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia – Zambia has launched the commemoration of the 8th United Nations (UN) Global Road Safety Week under the theme “Streets for Life – Make Walking and Cycling Safe,” reaffirming its commitment to improving road safety across the country, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Museba Tayali reaffirmed the government’s resolve to enhance road safety as Zambia joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week.

Speaking during the launch of the week-long commemoration under the global theme #StreetsForLife – #MakingWalkingAndCyclingSafe, Tayali acknowledged Zambia’s troubling road safety profile, citing high rates of traffic crashes and fatalities.

In 2024 alone, the country recorded 35,731 road traffic accidents, resulting in 2,199 deaths—including 896 pedestrians and 190 cyclists.

“These are not just statistics,” Tayali said. “They represent lives lost, families broken, and communities affected. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we must all play our part.”

Tayali attributed Zambia’s alarming road crash rates to poor driver behavior and weak enforcement of training regulations. He cited a recent exposé by Diamond TV revealing corrupt practices in some driving schools, where instructors allegedly issue driving certificates without proper training.

“This is an indictment of the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA),” Tayali said. “It is clear that many driving schools are failing to self-regulate. We are now working on reforms to ensure that RTSA can fully regulate and monitor these institutions.”

Tayali further disclosed that RTSA is developing new local road safety designs based on international best practices and is promoting infrastructure and education to support cycling.

He mentioned pilot studies conducted in areas such as Patents and emphasized the need to include non-motorized transport infrastructure in road development projects.

Recognizing Zambia’s role as a land-linked country in the region, Tayali emphasized the importance of protecting not only Zambians but also regional travelers.

“Our poor road safety profile can impact tourism and economic growth,” he warned. “Advanced nations issue travel advisories based on road conditions. We must address these challenges to attract more visitors and investors.”

To promote safe road use, Tayali said the government will intensify public awareness campaigns, encouraging pedestrians to use designated walkways, wear reflective clothing at night, and avoid using headphones while crossing roads.

Cyclists, he said, must adhere to traffic rules, stay in designated lanes, and use proper lighting and gear for visibility.

“We are committed to investing in pedestrian walkways, cycling lanes, speed control measures, and well-marked crossings,” he said. “This government is determined to build an inclusive road network that accommodates all users.”

Tayali concluded by urging all stakeholders—transport planners, road agencies, civil society, and the public—to unite in building safer streets.

“Let us make walking and cycling safe across Zambia—not just during this week of reflection, but every day, in every community.”

RTSA Chief Executive Officer Amon Mweemba echoed the minister’s sentiments, calling for urgent and collective action to reduce road fatalities, especially among vulnerable groups.

Speaking during the launch of the 2025 UN Global Road Safety Week engagement, Mweemba revealed that 48% of all road deaths recorded in the past year were pedestrians and cyclists—a trend he described as disproportionately high and consistently alarming.

“Our roads remain unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists because the infrastructure is simply not designed with them in mind,” Mweemba said.

“There is an urgent need for all road users, especially motorists, to understand that roads are shared spaces that require mutual respect and caution.”

He noted that Zambia’s road networks largely lack dedicated walkways and cycling lanes, increasing the vulnerability of non-motorized users.

However, RTSA is now working with the Road Development Agency (RDA) to ensure all new and refurbished roads include features that protect these users.

Mweemba also highlighted Zambia’s participation in the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Morocco earlier this year, where the Transport Minister endorsed the Marrakesh Declaration. The declaration reinforces commitments critical to Zambia’s road safety goals, particularly addressing the increasing number of fatalities among vulnerable road users.

He emphasized the devastating impact of road crashes on children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and working adults, and called on businesses to prioritize road safety within the workplace.

“If we work together—with government, the private sector, and the public—we can create safer roads where every journey, whether on foot or on a bicycle, ends with people arriving at their destination alive and well.”

RTSA Board Chairperson Eng. Allen Mate delivered a sobering message, warning that the time for speeches is over and that Zambia must now take practical, low-cost action to improve road safety.

“Bad driving has become the norm,” Eng. Mate stated.

“We must not reduce this event to just speeches; we must take action that saves lives.”

According to official data, Zambia recorded 138,540 road crashes between 2021 and 2024. There has been an 8.5% rise in fatalities this year alone, with the death toll reaching 2,199—a figure nearly double the student population of the University of Zambia.

“These are not just numbers; they represent lost futures and grieving families from communities such as Kanyama, Buchi, Chifubu, and Chawama,” he said.

In the first quarter of 2025, 342 children were involved in road accidents, of which 51 died. Mate shared the tragic story of 19-year-old Manza Shonda, a first-year engineering student killed by a speeding minibus while cycling to school after swerving to avoid a pothole.

“His textbooks were found scattered across the asphalt. His dreams died on that road. That death was preventable—if only there had been a bicycle lane,” Mate lamented.

Despite 60% of urban trips in Zambia being made on foot or by bicycle, most roads still lack sidewalks and cycling lanes.

“A road without sidewalks is like a river without bridges—it drowns the vulnerable,” he warned.

To address the crisis, Eng. Mate proposed immediate and affordable interventions, including:

Painting zebra crossings in school and market areas

Installing speed humps in high-risk zones

Converting road shoulders into bicycle lanes

Increasing traffic patrols during peak hours

Launching a “Name and Shame” campaign for reckless drivers

Enforcing laws against illegal street vending

He also advocated for grassroots education campaigns, reviving classic safety messages such as “stop, look left, right, then left again,” and urged traditional leaders to raise awareness in rural areas, where motorbike-related incidents are rising.

Calling for stronger enforcement, he said many violators act with impunity due to weak systems.

“Don’t feel sorry for the rich—hit them where it hurts: their wallets,” he said, encouraging stricter application of the demerit point system and timely collection of traffic fines.

Mate urged collaboration with artists and musicians to amplify road safety messages and referenced the recent death of a popular musician in a crash as a wake-up call.

“Let’s get our celebrities to talk about safety, responsibility, and protecting lives.”

He concluded by reminding stakeholders of Zambia’s endorsement of the Stockholm Declaration on Road Safety:

“Even scripture says we must be doers of the word. Let us implement what we preach and turn policies into protection.”

Zambia Police Service Director of Operations Commissioner Simon Mbaulu, speaking on behalf of Inspector General of Police Graphael Musamba, also reported a concerning rise in fatalities. In the past year, 1,812 people died in 751 recorded road traffic accidents.

The breakdown includes:

200 motorists

896 passengers

150 cyclists

40 cycle passengers

1,272 pedestrians

“These numbers are not just statistics—they represent lives lost and families shattered,” Mbaulu said.

He urged motorists to slow down near pedestrian crossings and called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, corporate institutions, and communities.

“Safe mobility is not just about infrastructure—it’s about behavior change and respect for traffic laws,” he said.

The Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to traffic law enforcement and appealed for broader support to help reduce accidents and save lives.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative Laurent Rudasingwa has called for urgent action to address Zambia’s escalating road safety crisis, warning that over 115,000 lives could be lost in the next 30 years if current trends persist.

Speaking during the launch of the 2025 UN Global Road Safety Week in Lusaka, Rudasingwa said road crashes in Zambia continue to cause thousands of deaths and permanent injuries every year, posing not only a public health challenge but also a significant development obstacle.

“This is not just a transport issue. Road safety is a development issue,” he said.

“These crashes are cutting short the lives of young people in the prime of their productivity. They impact families, communities, and the national economy.”

The event, held under the global theme “Streets for Life” and hashtags #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe, was attended by officials from RTSA, the Zambia Police Service, and other stakeholders.

Rudasingwa cited a recent investment case developed by UNDP and its partners, which estimates that if no intervention is made, Zambia could see more than 115,000 road fatalities by 2055.

He described the death of a 19-year-old girl named Tenda—one of many young victims—as a tragic reminder of the human cost behind the statistics.

The UNDP official commended the Zambian government’s previous efforts, particularly the now-expired Non-Motorised Transport Strategy (2019–2023).

However, he stressed the urgent need for an updated national strategy to protect vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

“We are in 2025, and the last strategy ended in 2023. It’s time for a renewed commitment,” he said.

“We are ready to work with RTSA, the Ministry of Transport, and other partners to develop a new plan that ensures Zambia’s roads are safe for all.”

He further urged stakeholders to align their efforts with Zambia’s Vision 2030, the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety, and the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure that no life is needlessly lost on Zambia’s roads.