Zambia has committed to ensuring safer roads for every Zambian.
In a one-minute statement read out on behalf by Assistant Director of Transport at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Eng. Emmanuel Sampa, Minister of Transport and Logistics Hon. Eng. MUSEBA FRANK TAYALI at the ongoing 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, Morroco on Wednesday, pledged to among other things fully integrate safety into road designs, enforcements, and education to protect all road users.
The statement aims to address Zambia’s commitments on National Road Safety Plan, Walking and Cycling, Public Transport, and Laws on behavioral risks (speeding, drink-driving, seat-belts, motorcycle helmets, and child restraints.
The Minister said every day, road traffic accidents cause thousands of fatalities and inflict unbearable pain to the survivors.
He underscored Zambia’s unwavering commitment to ensuring safer roads for every Zambian, not only through the implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy which aligns with Global targets of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030 but also by fully integrating safety into road designs, enforcements, and education to protect all road users.
He said Zambia has realized the urgent need to prioritize walking and cycling infrastructure improvements and conducting awareness campaigns to improve the safety of most vulnerable road users – the pedestrians and cyclists who account for 50% of road traffic fatalities in the country.
Hon. Tayali added that to improve safety among the Public Service Vehicles, Zambia is committed to fully implement the Fleet Safety Management Programme which is a vital component in the country’s National Road Safety Strategy.
He said to combat behavioral risks, Zambia is strengthening laws with zero tolerance on speeding and drink-driving, seat-belt use, motorcycle helmets, and child restraints—with stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns to drive compliance.
The Ndola Lawmaker emphased that it is time to take bold decisions that create a culture where road safety is a shared responsibility and save millions lives. He said together, people can create a world where every journey is very safe.
The 4th Ministerial Global Conference, which runs from February 18 to 20, has attracted over 2,700 delegates from across the globe.
The purpose of this conference is to assess the progress made in implementing the Global Plan 2021-2030 during its initial five-year period, to generate support for the new vision of safe and sustainable mobility.