Safer Roads Agenda

Global experts in Zambia push for smarter road design, safer systems and shared responsibility to reduce crashes and fatalities

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (8-06-2026) -- Road safety experts, researchers and advocates from across Africa and Europe have gathered in Zambia for a two-day training programme focused on practical solutions to rising road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries.

The programme is hosted by the Zambia Road Safety Trust and has attracted participants from several African countries as well as Sweden, which is widely recognised for its advanced road safety systems.

Speaking in Lusaka during the training, Swedish road safety expert Aliaksei Laureshyn said countries like Zambia should move away from blaming individual road users and instead focus on designing transport systems that prevent crashes and protect vulnerable road users.

He said road safety must be built into the design of transport infrastructure and not treated as an afterthought.

Laureshyn said the training is part of the SAFE Project, implemented over the past four years in partnership with international road safety stakeholders.

He added that he has visited Zambia several times to lecture at the University of Zambia, noting that the course targets professionals in traffic safety and shares lessons from countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands.

He explained that modern road safety thinking focuses on systems that naturally encourage safe behaviour, rather than placing full responsibility on drivers, cyclists or pedestrians alone.

“It is about driving at safe speeds, using seat belts and helmets, but also protecting those who are not protected. We cannot expect children to cross roads safely when there are no facilities for them,” he said.

“We cannot blame children for dying on roads when safe crossing facilities are missing. Safety must be part of road design.”

On practical solutions, Laureshyn said governments should prioritise proven and cost-effective interventions instead of trying to solve all problems at once.

“You cannot fix all problems overnight. Focus on low-hanging fruits. We already know effective measures, especially those that reduce vehicle speeds,” he said.

He cited speed humps as one of the most effective traffic-calming tools, along with other road engineering designs that reduce speed and improve interaction between motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Laureshyn also highlighted the role of the private sector in improving road safety, saying companies have both economic and human incentives to prevent crashes.

“Losing an employee in an accident affects morale, productivity and finances. Companies invest in workers and cannot afford such losses,” he said.

He added that some companies already support road safety by providing safer transport for employees and ensuring access to safer vehicles.

He cited Swedish furniture company IKEA as an example of how road safety principles can be integrated into corporate operations globally.

“By Swedish law, companies must provide safe working environments for workers regardless of where they operate. Drivers delivering goods abroad must still have safe working conditions,” he said.

He noted that private sector initiatives often lead to wider adoption, as successful approaches are later copied and eventually supported by policy and legislation.

“It does not always have to start with legislation. Private initiatives can lead, and successful ones are copied and become policy,” he said.

Speaking when he opened a two day training workshop, Paul Mwanza said the programme aims to strengthen knowledge-sharing and improve road safety efforts across Africa.

He said the has worked since 2014 with government institutions, development partners, academia and communities to reduce road traffic crashes through research, advocacy and education.

“We are honoured to host experts, researchers and advocates from across Africa and beyond. Their presence shows a shared commitment to safer roads,” he said.

He added that participants will engage in discussions, share experiences and review practical interventions aimed at reducing crashes and injuries.

Mwanza said Zambia continues to face serious road safety challenges that require coordinated action among stakeholders.

“These challenges can be addressed, but ministries and stakeholders must work together to find lasting solutions,” he said.

He encouraged participants to actively engage, ask questions and build professional networks that can support safer roads across the region.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Together, we must work towards a future where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads,” he said.

The training is expected to produce recommendations aimed at improving road safety management and reducing both the human and economic costs of road traffic crashes.