43 die from 409 road accidents during Heroes and Unity Holiday

The Zambia Police Service says it recorded 409 road traffic accidents countrywide during the 2026 Heroes and Unity Holiday period, resulting in 43 deaths.

Of the 409 accidents, 40 were fatal accidents, 56 were serious injury accidents, 100 were slight injury accidents, and 213 were damage-only incidents, police said.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said the holiday period covered from July 3, 2026, at 18:00 hours to July 8, 2026, at 06:00 hours.

Chilabi said the fatal crashes left 43 people dead and a further 93 people were seriously injured and 129 sustained minor injuries.

Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents with 176, followed by Copperbelt (57), Southern (38), North-Western (32), Central (27), Eastern (20), Luapula (20), Muchinga (16), Western (14), and Northern Province (9).

A total of 20 hit-and-run accidents were recorded during the period. Of these, 3 were fatal, 8 were serious injury accidents, 3 were slight injury accidents, and 6 were damage-only accidents.

Compared to 2025, accidents increased by 64, an 18.6% rise from the 345 recorded during the same holiday last year.

Fatal accidents increased from 29 in 2025 to 40 in 2026, representing an increase of 11 fatal accidents, however, the number of people who died remained unchanged at 43,” Chilabi said.

Serious injury accidents rose from 46 to 56, but the number of persons seriously injured dropped from 119 to 93.

Slight injury accidents also increased from 86 to 100, with minor injuries rising from 117 to 129 and overall casualties reduced from 279 in 2025 to 265 in 2026, a decrease of 14 casualties.

Police recorded 1,423 traffic offences during the period, down 22.8% from 1,843 in 2025. Admission of guilt fines collected amounted to K666,940.00.

“The major contributing factors included excessive speed, misjudging clearance, negligent reversing, failure to keep to the nearside, and improper overtaking,” Chilabi said.

He also cited non-compliance with traffic regulations and increased road traffic volume.

Chilabi stated that with election campaign activities expected to increase movement, the Service said it will strengthen traffic enforcement and road safety awareness.

“Any person found violating traffic laws will be dealt with in accordance with the law, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.

Chilabi urged all road users to exercise caution, obey traffic rules, and promote road safety throughout the campaign period and beyond.

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