SUPPORT ACCIDENT VICTIMS, URGES ZRST
GOVERNMENT should accelerate plans to support victims of road traffic accidents in the country.
Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) chairman Daniel Mwamba said since 2013, the government had been talking about implementing a scheme that would promote compensation, financial and medical needs for accident victims.
He said since then, thousands of accident victims, have been injured or killed and bereaved families, not offered any form of compensation.
Mr Mwamba said ZRST was therefore urging the private sector including all concerned stakeholders to support government efforts in taking care of the needs of injured road accident victims or bereaved families through compensation.
He said ZRST was concerned that the current motor vehicle in- surance scheme was inadequate as it did not address the postcrash needs arising from road accidents.
He said it was too little, too late and was difficult to access.
Mr Mwamba also said according to official records, on average, 20 pedestrians were killed weekly and that these deaths caused immense suffering among bereaved families who were left without any form of compensation or support from the government.
“Anyone can be an accident victim, therefore, we need to care, feel and feed them. We need a fairer justice system, with more transparent investigations and thorough post-mortems.
“We want compensation, improved support and recognition for road accident victims together with timely accurate information provided for those affected by road accidents without any prejudice,” said Mr Mwamba.