By MILDRED KATONGO –
THE Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has secured 125 convictions in the Lusaka Fast Track Court on traffic offences in the course of this month.
A total of 112 cases were taken to the Fast Track court during the third week, with some individuals having multiple counts, resulting in a total number of 172 offences.
RTSA public relations manager Mukela Mangolwa said among the convictions, the leading offences were expired road tax with 59 convictions, 11 for expired test certificates, 10 for dangerous driving and one for contravening the Statutory Instrument Number 76 banning night driving for Public Service Vehicles (PSVs)
Mr Mangolwa said in a statement released yesterday that the Agency also noted with regret that motorists had continued not only to ignore the use of seat belts, but also endangering the lives of children by driving with unsecured children, thus contravening the stipulation in the Road Traffic Act number  11 of 2002.
“The Agency will continue to target drink-driving, excessive speed, use of mobile phones whilst driving and seat belt use in its enforcement and education campaigns in the New Year. We vow to ensure that most offenders being apprehended in Lusaka were prosecuted through the Fast Track Court in order to deter would-be offenders,” Mr Mangolwa said.
He appealed to motorists and other road users to ensure that they complied with all road traffic rules and regulations.