13 die in road accidents in Zambia during holiday: police

LUSAKA, Jan. 3 -- At least 13 people died while 15 others were seriously injured in road traffic accidents that occurred during the New Year holiday in Zambia, the police said on Thursday.

Esther Mwaata-Katongo, Zambia Police Spokesperson, said 35 other people were slightly injured during the same period.

She said in a release that the number of road traffic accidents recorded during the New Year holiday in 2019 stood around 120, compared with 237 accidents recorded during the same period last year.

While acknowledging that there was generally good compliance to road traffic regulations by motorists, the police spokesperson said the accidents were caused due to human error such as excessive speed and pedestrians crossing the road without care.