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11,074 road traffic accidents were countrywide in the second quarter of 2026, representing an 18.1 percent increase from the same period in 2025, police say.
Of the total accidents, 602 were fatal and resulted in 746 deaths and a further 995 were serious injury accidents in which 1,701 people sustained serious injuries.
The statistics cover the period from 1 April to 30 June 2026 and were released on 25 July 2026, according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Aaturday by Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi.
Police also recorded 2,058 slight injury accidents resulting in 3,015 minor injuries, while 7,419 accidents involved damage to property only.
“During the second quarter of 2026, covering the period from April 1 to June 30, a total of 11,074 road traffic accidents were recorded countrywide. Of these, 602 were fatal accidents, resulting in 746 deaths,” Chilabi said.
Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of accidents with 6,027 cases, accounting for 54.4 percent of all accidents recorded nationwide.
“The Zambia Police Service recorded 456 hit-and-run road traffic accidents, which formed part of the total accidents recorded during the period. Of these, 54 were fatal accidents, 82 were serious injury accidents, 113 were slight injury accidents, and 207 involved damage to property only,” he said.
Central Province followed with 1,134 accidents, Copperbelt with 1,125, Southern with 627, and North-Western with 619. Eastern recorded 448, Muchinga 386, Luapula 309, Western 209, and Northern 190.
During the period under review, a total of 388 children aged below 16 years were involved in road traffic accidents.
Of these, 69 lost their lives, 115 sustained serious injuries, and 204 sustained minor injuries.
Most of the child casualties were pedestrians and passengers in motor vehicles. Among the affected children, 230 were male and 158 were female.
“In Q2 2025, the Zambia Police Service recorded 9,377 road traffic accidents countrywide. The second quarter of 2026 recorded an increase of 1,697 road traffic accidents, representing an 18.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025,” Chilabi said.
Fatal accidents increased by 80 while deaths increased by 104 and serious injury accidents increased by 56, however the number of persons who sustained serious injuries decreased by 125.
Chilabi said the Zambia Police Service recorded a slight decline in road traffic offences during the period under review.
A total of 45,813 offences were recorded during the second quarter of 2026, compared to 46,510 offences recorded during the same period in 2025,” the statement stated.
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Admission of guilt fines also declined from K18,152,450.00 in Q2 2025 to K16,905,920.00 in Q2 2026, a reduction of K1,246,530.00 or 6.9 percent.
“Most road traffic accidents continued to be attributed to non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations by road users. Of the 11,074 road traffic accidents recorded during the second quarter of 2026, excessive speed accounted for 2,523 cases, making it the leading contributing factor,” Chilabi said.
Other major causes were failure to judge clearance distance with 1,749 cases, failure to keep to the nearside with 1,445, failure to obey traffic signs and signals with 1,061, and improper cutting in with 997.
Chilabi said the police would continue implementing proactive measures aimed at reducing road traffic accidents, including intensified road safety awareness campaigns and enhanced enforcement of traffic laws.
He urged all motorists, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians to strictly observe traffic rules and regulations to reduce accidents and promote safer roads across the country.
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