Traffic Desk Raises Concern Over Motorcycle Safety

The Traffic Desk says road traffic accident statistics from Eastern Province reflect the current state of motorcycle safety in Zambia and underscore the need for greater compliance with road safety regulations.

Recently, Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba disclosed that 138 road traffic accidents involving motorcycles were recorded in the province during the first quarter of 2026. The accidents claimed 14 lives, while 43 people sustained serious injuries and 82 suffered minor injuries.

Speaking in an interview with 5FM News, Traffic Desk Assistant Manager Choolwe Mphande attributed the high number of motorcycle accidents to low compliance with traffic regulations.

Mr. Mphande said many motorcycle riders fail to observe road rules by jumping red lights, unsafely lane-splitting, riding against the flow of traffic and ignoring road signs.

He added that some riders have not undergone formal training or testing, leaving them with limited knowledge of road signs, defensive riding techniques and how to respond to emergency situations.

Mr. Mphande further noted that overloading motorcycles with two or three passengers, in addition to goods, compromises the bike’s balance, increases braking distance and makes it unstable, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.

He has since urged motorcycle riders to undergo proper training, obey traffic regulations and avoid overloading their motorcycles to improve road safety and reduce accidents.