By SARAH MWANZA –

SOME Lusaka residents have called on traffic officers to be professional if the recent hike in traffic offence fines were to achieve its intended purpose.
They said if traffic officers continued being corrupt then the increased fines would not have any impact on traffic offenders.
The Zambia Police announced on Monday the increase in fines for traffic offences which will now range from K225 to K450 depending on the nature of the offence.
Martin Kalenga said the idea to increase fines was a good move but could only yield positive results if Police officers became professional.
He noted that Police officers impounded vehicles to force motorists to pay on the spot, including fines which, under the current law, could be deferred.
However, some motorists said the move would increase corruption among Police officers as many motorists would prefer bribing the officers instead of paying the inflated amounts.
Ruth Kabwe, one of the motorists, said the Police command should not only increase the fines but also intensify traffic patrols, especially among minibus drivers.
“If the move is meant to improve the safety on our roads and to finance the operation of the Police so that they can have more patrols, it is good, but I strongly believe this will attract gross corruption among the officers,” he said.
Mable Tembo called on motorists to demand a receipt whenever traffic officers asked them to pay when found wanting.
“The onus is on us motorists to ensure that traffic officers do not engage in corrupt practices by demanding for money they do not even account for, we should ensure that we ask for a receipt for whatever amount of money we pay,” she said.