RTSA calls for a National Road Safety Indaba to address the high number of road crashes that the country is recording

THE Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has called for a National Road Safety Indaba to address the high number of road crashes that the country is recording.

RTSA Head of Public Relations Frederick Mubanga has disclosed in a statement that the Indaba will be hosted by the agency in collaboration with the Office of the Vice president under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit-DMMU and the Ministry of Transport and Communication.

Mubanga has also disclosed that the Indaba is earmarked to place on 22nd September, 2016 in Lusaka and is expected to bring together all stakeholders in finding solutions to road crashes.

And Mubanga has revealed that the theme for the Indaba as “Getting involved in promoting Road Safety, a shared responsibility” which he says in line with the agency’s strategic plan which aspires to involve all stakeholders in reducing the number of road crashes in the country.

“The purpose of this high level meeting is to discuss and brainstorm with stakeholders and other partners in the road transport sector in relation to improving the road safety situation in Zambia,” Mubanga has stated.

He says the title and theme of the meeting are a clear guide to the importance that RTSA and government at large attaches to collectively charting the way forward in the national road crashes in Zambia.

“The agency has observed that it can no longer be a preserve of government alone to promote the road safety agenda for the country,” he says.

Mubanga has noted the need to include the voice of all stakeholders in finding new round strategies and interventions for reducing road carnage on the Zambian roads.

“The fora will provide a platform for all the stakeholders at national level to deliberate on road safety, assuming ownership, taking a stand and acting decisively, and mitigate the avoidable human suffering and the effects of road traffic accidents in Zambia,” says Mubanga.

“Therefore the National Road Safety Indaba intends to underscore the need for a multi-sectoral approach in the fight against road crashes.”

Mubanga further says the agency will during the same event acknowledge and present recognition awards to outstanding Public Service Vehicles-PSV operators and drivers with a good road safety record.