Simasiku proposes accidents reduction plan

By ALEX NJOVU

 
ZAMBIA’S Ambassador to Japan Godfrey Simasiku has called for stiffer laws against traffic offenders to help reduce the number of fatal road accidents in the country.
In this regard, the ambassador said he had made recommendations to President Mwanawasa on how Government can reduce fatal road traffic accidents on the Zambian roads.
According to a statement issued by the Zambian embassy in Tokyo yesterday, Ambassador Simasiku disclosed this when a Zambian delegation from the Zambian school of driving paid a courtesy call on him at the embassy.
Mr Simasiku said the recommendations have also been submitted to Minister of Transport and Communications Dora Siliya.
The Zambian delegation is in Japan on a road safety tour at the invitation of the Koyama driving school, one of the biggest driving schools in Japan.
“I have personally submitted recommendations to President Mwanawasa and Minister of Transport recommendations on Japanese experience that led to very low fatal accidents over the past 10 years,” Mr Simasiku said.
He urged the Zambian delegation being led by the country’s Goodwill Ambassador, Cherise Makubale to present the report of the tour to government, which could help in enhancing relevant traffic laws in the country.
“Causing death by dangerous driving in Japan has stiff jail sentences of up to 20 years, where fines are imposed they are up to half a million dollars and passengers who agree to be driven by drunken drivers are also fined,” Mr Simasiku said.
And speaking on behalf of the delegation Zambian school of driving managing instructor Mike Kumalo said there was need to improve driving standards in Zambia to avoid fatal road traffic accidents.
Mr Kumalo said driving schools in Zambia had a long way to go in order to attain required international driving standards.
The Zambian delegation took time to see how both government and the private driving schools conduct road safety awareness programs throughout Japan.