By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Zambia recorded 136 road traffic accidents between 31st December, 2025 and 2nd January, 2026, resulting in 16 fatalities.
This is according to 2026 new year holiday road traffic accident statistics released by the Zambia Police Service.
The country recorded 14 serious accidents, leaving 24 people seriously injured, and 35 slight accidents, which caused 56 minor injuries.
According to the Police, 71 accidents involved damage only, while 96 overall casualties were recorded during the period under review.
Zambia Police Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Chilabi, revealed in a statement that Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of accidents with 59 cases, followed by Copperbelt Province with 33 cases.
“Other provinces recorded accidents as follows: Southern , Eastern , North-Western , Central 7, Luapula 7, Northern 5, Western 1, while Muchinga Province recorded no accidents during the period under review,” he said.
He added that most of the accidents were due to human error, with excessive speed being the leading cause, accounting for 36 cases, followed by failure to keep to the nearside with 28 cases, misjudging clearance distance, and improper overtaking, among other causes.
Compared to the 2025 New Year holiday, which spanned four days and recorded 166 road traffic accidents, the 2026 New Year holiday, which covered a two-day period, recorded 136 road traffic accidents, representing a reduction of 30 accidents, equivalent to an 18.1 percent decrease.
In the 2025 period, 15 fatal road traffic accidents resulted in 20 deaths, 27 serious accidents left 52 people injured, 38 slight accidents caused minor injuries to 51 persons, while 86 accidents involved damage only.
Mr. Chilabi explained that in comparison with Christmas 2025, the New Year period recorded a 39% decrease in total accidents.
He attributed the decline in accidents to enhanced enforcement measures, including intensified patrols in accident-prone areas, speed management operations, and increased foot and motorized patrols along major highways.
“Despite the decline in road traffic accidents, non-compliance among road users remains high. The Service will continue to strengthen traffic law enforcement to further improve road safety.”
“The Zambia Police Service urges all road users to remain law-abiding and responsible as the country ushers in 2026, and thanks members of the public for their cooperation during the New Year festivities,” Mr. Chilabi urged.
