The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has started tracking down vehicles with overdue speed fines and those violating traffic rules. In July last year, over 45,000 motorists in Lusaka were caught over-speeding by the road side cameras.

The agency is using mobile policing vehicles (MPVs) which are fully equipped with an inbuilt system that includes a camera unit which detects and captures vehicles on the special interest list, such as those with outstanding fines and other traffic offences. RTSA head of public relations Frederick Mubanga said in an interview yesterday that the agency is working round the clock to ensure there is sanity on the road.

“RTSA in conjunction with the Zambia Police traffic department has commenced the deployment of mobile policing vehicles aimed at tracking down vehicles with overdue speed fines.

“This will be done by using automatic number plate recognition technology embedded in the MPVs. Offenders will be stopped upon being spotted and will be pulled over and charged immediately for the offence he or she has committed,” he said.

Mr Mubanga said offenders will be issued with reports and notice of prosecution upon being spotted for failure to comply with traffic rules.
He said the agency will target offences such as expired road tax, drinking while driving, excessive speeds and unroadworthy vehicles.
Other offences are unlicensed drivers, uninsured vehicles, using a phone or holding it while driving and failure to wear seatbelts, among other offences.

“The MPVs also includes safety equipment that has cordon equipment and first aid kit for roadside emergencies as well as alcohol breathalysers. They also include communication unit such as real-time links between the field team and key contact points such as RTSA control centre, Zambia Police traffic command and medical services Mr Mubanga said.

He urged motorists with outstanding speed fines to settle these to avoid inconveniences on the road. “To avoid journey interruption and inconveniences, all motorists with overdue speed fines are hereby advised to make online payment or visit any of the listed commercial banks,” he said.

In June last year, RTSA introduced speed cameras to detect overspeeding vehicles.
So far, 25 cameras have been installed in various parts of the capital city.