Government says it is aware and saddened by the increasing number of road traffic accidents along the Chingola Solwezi road particularly in Mushindamo district, which has become a high risk stretch due to increased traffic and road designed limitations and mixed used transport.
Speaking during the oral question and answer in parliament today, Minister of transport and logistics, Frank Tayali, says that investigations into the Likili bus accident which occurred on 24th July 2025 are ongoing and once concluded a detailed report of the findings will be made available.
However, in an effort to prevent further loss of lives on the Chingola-Solwezi road and other risk areas, Mr. Tayali says his ministry and various government agencies has initiated several agent measures such as increased enforcement and patrols.
“Government through the Road Transport and Safety Agency in collaboration with the Zambia police deployed more traffic officers to conduct patrols, speed checks and random inspections along the Chingola route especially along high-risk areas such as Mushindamo”, said Mr. Tayali.
Mr. Tayali states that government has also commenced the process of amending the road traffic and Public Service Vehicle PSV global positioning system regulation of 2016 in order to enhance road safety through the mandatory installation of functional global positioning system GPS in public service vehicles.
The minister notes that the amendment proposes to enhance the enforcement by increasing the penalty unit for PSV operators and drivers whose GPS devises are non-functional or have been tempered with.
“If incidents of GPS tempering by PSV drivers persist, the government will consider suspending the vehicles licence for at least one year”, said Mr. Tayali.
He states that government through RTSA aims to enhance enforcement through the procurement of more enforcement vehicles, appointment of honorary traffic inspectors and procurement of more Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered smart dush cans to improve road safety.
By Christabel Kamunu.
