Tackle problem of patients’ queues - Lusambo
A healthy nation is a productive nation hence Government’s agenda to provide quality health services to its citizens
GOVERNMENT has directed the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to waive traffic fines slapped on motorists captured on the speed cameras placed on roads without proper speed signage and refund those who already paid. And Commuters Rights Association of Zambia (CRAZ) president, Aaron Kamuti advised the RTSA to separate its function of saving lives from its endeavours to increase its revenue base. Minister of Transport and Communication, Brian Mushimba said in an interview that he had engaged RTSA following a public outcry on the traffic fines that had been slapped on speeding motorists captured on roads without proper signage. Mr Mushimba said that it was unfair for the RTSA to charge motorists for speeding offences when the speed limits were not clear. The minister revealed that he had instructed the RTSA to waive fines on motorists who were captured on roads without proper signage and refund those who had already cleared their fines. “In as much as we fully support initiatives by RTSA to ensure road safety, it is just not fair that they should charge motorists even on roads where signage is not clear. For example, Airport Road has no proper signage, so how do you fine motorists on such a road?” he questioned. Mr Mushimba reiterated that the government was concerned about the increase in traffic accidents but that the Road Safety Management System should be rolled out fairly. And Mr Kamuti said that RTSA should differentiate its life saving programmes from its revenue collection mandate. He expressed concern that the money RTSA had raised from the road safety law enforcement using road side cameras within a short period of time was too alarming. Mr Kamuti pointed out that RTSA was supposed to bank about K13.5 million from the 45, 000 traffic violations recorded in the first three weeks of implementing the road side camera programme. He reiterated that the road safety management system should not be aimed at milking motorists of their hard earned money but to reduce traffic accidents and save lives. Mr Kamuti commended Mr Mushimba for listening to the cries of motorists by ensuring that questionable fines were done away with.