Over 10,000 Road Accidents Recorded in Zambia, in Last Quarter of 2025
Zambia recorded 10,400 road traffic accidents, resulting in 667 deaths, during the fourth quarter of 2025, police have revealed. The alarming figures reflect a significant increase in road carnage compared to the same period in 2024, raising renewed concerns about road safety across the country.
In a statement, police spokesperson Geoffrey Chilabi said the accidents occurred between September 1 and December 31, 2025. Of the total accidents recorded, 554 were fatal, accounting for the 667 deaths.
Mr Chilabi explained that 856 accidents were classified as serious, leaving 1,776 people seriously injured, while 1,971 slight accidents resulted in 2,914 minor injuries. A further 7,019 accidents involved property damage only.
According to police data, Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of accidents at 5,515, followed by the Copperbelt Province with 1,197 and Central Province with 1,091.
Police also recorded 385 child casualties during the same period. Of these, 210 were boys, among whom 35 died, 77 sustained serious injuries, and 98 suffered minor injuries. The remaining 175 were girls, with 21 fatalities, 62 serious injuries, and 92 minor injuries.
Mr Chilabi attributed the rise in accidents mainly to human error, citing excessive speed, misjudgement of clearance distance, failure to keep to the nearside, and improper overtaking as the leading causes.
He noted that the 10,400 accidents represent a 13 percent increase from the 9,203 accidents recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024, which resulted in 614 deaths.
Meanwhile, police recorded an increase in admission-of-guilt fine collections, with over K22 million collected in 2025.
“A total of K22,870,266 was collected in 2025 compared to K20,434,509 in 2024, representing an increase of K2,435,757, or 11.9 percent,” Mr Chilabi said.
He urged all road users to strictly observe traffic rules and regulations in order to reduce accidents, protect lives, and ensure the safety of all road users.
