Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) recently celebrated with stakeholders the launch of road improvements completed at Kamanga Primary and Matero Secondary School.
Children and the community have now safer journeys to school with speed humps, bridges, bollards, zebra crossings, road signs and separate gates on the school wall fence for pedestrian pupils to use. Local authorities and the government are on board now to make streets safer.
The project has been made possible thanks to the support of Vital Strategies, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Lusaka City Council, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of General Education and District Education Board Secretary.
In addition to the upgrades implemented in these two schools, ZRST has installed 30 km/h signage at 5 schools. ZRST has been campaigning to advocate for 30km/h around schools, which supports Lusaka Mayor Miles Bwalya Sampa’s intention to reduce speeds limits in all schools to 30 km/h. The Government of Zambia, through the advocacy efforts of the Zambia Road Safety Trust and partners Amend and the FIA foundation, have also successfully advocated for the 30km/h speed law national wide in 2020.
In April, ZRST also hosted the first ever Lusaka Car Free Day Event at the Central Business District of Lusaka City, as part of the 2021 UN Global Road Safety Week awareness campaign for the 30 km/h speed limits. The aim is for this campaign to continue on for at least another two years, and the Zambia Road Safety Trust will use the monthly Car Free Day to continuously raise awareness of the importance of lower speeds in traffic safety.
For the Zambia Road Safety Trust, the Car Free Day has given new opportunity to connect with local communities, the corporate world, and many stakeholders to promote 30km/h speed limits.
The Car Free Day raises awareness on the importance of the safety of people walking and cycling, which account for almost 90% of travel in Zambia, and the danger they face from speeding drivers. It also raises awareness on climate change, sustainable transport, and that air pollution is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people each year.
Testimonials from the community after car free day:
Chita – Cyclist : “The day was very fine. Drivers don’t consider cyclists but bicycles are also road users. The best thing about the day was the space for cycling. Cycling saves time and money and it’s good for health.”
John – Cyclist with Luska riders: “I would love to encourage drivers to cycle to work once a week. We need to help encourage more females to take part in cycling too.”
PS – Ministry of Local Government: “When I saw the advert in the newspaper about the Car Free Day I did not believe that this can happen in Zambia – well done next time I will come with my bike.”
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