The Zambian Road Safety Trust is urging Zambians to buckle up when travelling on the roads. Research done by the Trust research unit on 1st July 2014 revealed an alarming 51% vehicle occupants involving drivers and front seat passengers put on their seatbelts.
The survey carried out by the Trust Research Volunteers showed that occupant most likely to wear a seatbelt in Zambia is the driver at 51% rate. However, the wearing rate drops sharply for other occupants revealing 46% of front seat passengers buckle up. The snap survey did not include passengers on rear seats.
The seatbelt research was carried out in Lusaka at two locations simultaneously during peak-hour morning traffic. A total of 200 vehicles of differing types were surveyed. The total number of vehicle occupants at the two locations was 316.
The wearing of safety belts is compulsory in Zambia for drivers and passengers of motor vehicles occupying seats equipped with such belts.
Zambian Road Safety Trust – Board Chairperson, Daniel Mwamba:
“These findings are of great concern to the Zambian Road Safety Trust. Seatbelts can reduce the chances of death or serious injury in a crash by up to 75%. We cannot regard ourselves as a nation that takes road safety seriously until our seatbelt wearing rates reach international norms. I am calling on the Zambia Police and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to step up enforcement of seatbelt wearing. If people won’t buckle up for safety reasons, perhaps the risk of a fine or going to court will convince them”.
International Road Safety Researchers have repeatedly demonstrated that wearing safety belts reduces the likelihood of serious injury or death from automobile accidents. Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. Failure to use a seat-belt is a major risk factor for road traffic deaths and injuries among vehicle occupants. Passengers not wearing their seat-belts at the time of a collision account for the majority of occupant road traffic fatalities. In addition, passengers who do not wear seat-belts and have a frontal crash are most likely to suffer a head injury.
Although of paramount concern, there is more than just the human suffering associated with non-use of seat-belts. The financial burden of increased death and injury severity can have a major impact on the finances of the government and local communities who are paying for the resources that are required to deal with road crash victims and their families in the aftermath of a crash.
“The Zambian Road Safety Trust will engage corporate partners and the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications to expand and refine the seatbelt research survey into an ongoing programme which will eventually encompass locations across the country, with the survey being conducted on a quarterly basis” said Mr. Mwamba.
kabili “fya ba sungu!!”
I hope that is sarcasm. In my travels I have found out that low IQ, or better still un educated people and learned people ignore simple common sense. Educated people apply wisdom. Education starts at home, let us all buckle up, RSTA start fining.
the results are misleading two locations simultaneously, only 316 vehicles when there are hundreds of thousands of cars in Lusaka? the sample size is not representative enough to even make those percentage findings. snap survey? lazy chaps, do a proper survey to come up with better findings and results. moreover wearing a seat belt is 50: 50 chance of dying or surviving. it can either kill you or save you
You see the mentality: 50:50??? That’s why £1 said “fya ba sungu!!” LOL!!
THIS IS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE MONEY IF THE LAW IS THERE FOR PUTTING ON SEAT BELTS. IT ISN’T ONLY THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WHO SHOULD BE PENALISED. ANY PASSENGER FOUND NOT FASTENING A SEAT BELT MUST BE CHARGED. A MINOR SEAT BELT OFFENSE MUST BE CHARGED ON THE DRIVER.
Agreed , seat belts , in most cases are helpful ! But be mindful of ” SEAT-BELT INJURIES ” and ” Pregnancy ” !
This is where I get into my beast mode. @Kamwendo, if you have nothing to say, go suck on something sweet. @Brian Chiselema, in your opinion for us to know the percentage of HIV infected people we have to test each and every one? Go to UNZA and study DS; you grade twelve reasoning dwib. I kind of applause Peter for being objective, but child, did you have to type the entire contribution in CAPS. Go google Kalashnikov. Now back to the biz at hand, Wearing a seat belt is something you learn in driving school and the highway code. In the mines, you cannot even drive off if your passenger is not wearing a seat belt, it is an insurance, like wearing a condom. No guarantee she will not get pregnant, but makes one feel better. It is an acquired test for you 21days driving school drivers, Grow up!
“Crooked” kwena nau baila ati??
Seat Belts DO SAVE LIVES!! The mines forced you to wear them becoz of that mentality ati Fya ba sungu!! – Difficult to teach zedians!! Risk of seat belt injuries are far much less than those obtained by not wearing one – it is all about “The BENEFIT which OUTWEIGHS THE RISK!!