By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/ Lusaka
Zambia Police Service has reported that the country recorded a total of 38,712 road traffic accidents in 2025, of which 2,068 were fatal, resulting in 2,567 deaths.
Police Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Chilabi, said in a statement that there were 3,687 serious accidents, in which 7,045 people sustained serious injuries, and 7,560 slight accidents, with 11,166 minor injuries reported.
A further 25,397 cases were classified as damage-only accidents, bringing the total number of casualties for the year to 20,778.
“Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of accidents, with 20,230 cases, followed by Copperbelt 4,988, Central 3,862, Northwestern 2,200, Southern 2,197, Eastern 1,431, Muchinga 1,259, Luapula 1,016, Northern 798, and Western Province 731.,” he said.
Mr. Chilabi revealed that a total of 182,054 road traffic offences (RTOs) were recorded in 2025, with the highest numbers reported in Copperbelt Province (38,633) and Lusaka (36,607), followed by Central (30,731) and Muchinga Province (23,662).
He noted that moderate figures were recorded in Northwestern (11,169), Northern (11,000) and Southern (9,304), while the lowest numbers were observed in Luapula (7,630), Eastern (7,235) and Western Province (6,083).
“Compared to 2024, all figures show an increase. In 2024, 35,731 accidents were recorded, while in 2025 the number rose to 38,712, an increase of 2,981 accidents or 8.3% rise. Fatal accidents rose from 1,804 in 2024, with 2,199 deaths, to 2,068 in 2025, with 2,567 deaths. This represents an increase of 264 fatal accidents and 368 lives lost.”
“Serious accidents increased from 3,450 in 2024, with 5,798 serious injuries, to 3,687 in 2025, with 7,045 injuries—an increase of 237 accidents and 1,247 injuries. Slight accidents rose from 7,511 in 2024, with 10,123 minor injuries, to 7,560 in 2025, with 11,166 minor injuries—an increase of 49 accidents and 1,043 injuries. Damage-only accidents increased from 22,966 in 2024 to 25,397 in 2025, an increase of 2,431,” Mr. Chilabi stressed.
He further reported that most accidents in 2025 occurred in the fourth quarter (10,400 cases), followed by the third quarter (10,126), while the second quarter recorded 9,377 cases and the first quarter 8,809.
“During the year under review, a total of 1,493 child casualties were recorded in road traffic accidents. Among them, 866 were boys: 148 killed, 321 seriously injured, and 397 slightly injured. There were 627 girls involved: 95 killed, 233 seriously injured, and 299 sustaining minor injuries. Most child casualties were pedestrians and passengers.”
“Most accidents were attributed to human error. The most common causes included excessive speed, misjudging clearance distance, failure to keep to the nearside, and disobeying traffic signs or signals,” he added.
According to Mr. Chilabi, Fridays recorded the highest number of accidents countrywide at 6,882, followed by Saturdays (6,249) and Sundays (5,582), indicating a higher risk towards the weekend.
“Thursdays (5,462) and Wednesdays (5,157) recorded moderate figures, while Mondays (4,536) and Tuesdays (4,844) had the lowest numbers,” he said.
Of the 2,567 road traffic fatalities recorded, pedestrians were the most affected (934 deaths), followed by motor vehicle passengers (643) and motorcycle riders (286). Motor vehicle drivers accounted for 279 deaths, motorcycle passengers/pillion riders 198, bicycle riders 181, and bicycle passengers 46.
“The year 2025 recorded a notable increase in road traffic accidents and casualties compared to 2024. Fatal, serious, slight, and damage-only accidents all rose, with Lusaka Province recording the highest numbers. Children were among those affected. Human error, especially excessive speed, misjudging clearance distance, failure to keep to the nearside, and disobeying traffic signs, remains the leading cause of accidents.”
The Zambia Police Service is stepping up strategies in 2026 to enhance road safety and reduce accidents, including stronger enforcement of traffic laws, active engagement with key stakeholders, and the implementation of heightened awareness programs on road safety to improve human behavior and curb errors.
