The Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) has urged government to allocate toll fee funds more effectively towards road infrastructure maintenance and safety improvements to help reduce road traffic accidents.
ZRST Research and Partnership Manager, Thomas Miyoba, noted that the current distribution of toll revenue does not fully address road safety challenges, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to ensure a dedicated portion of these funds is strictly used for road safety initiatives.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Miyoba stressed the importance of strengthening public accountability and transparency in the use of toll fees.
He called for a sufficient percentage of the funds to be allocated to road maintenance, safety enhancements, and comprehensive road safety audits to ensure both new and existing roads meet safety standards.
“While some road projects have benefited from toll fees, concerns remain over how these funds are utilized and road users expect more visible improvements, particularly in the maintenance of existing roads, to enhance safety and reduce fatal accidents,” said Mr. Miyoba.
He further urged the government to expand investments in non-motorized transport infrastructure, such as pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes, to protect vulnerable road users and reduce the carbon footprint from vehicles.
By Cynthia Lupiya.
