By Francis Chipalo
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has launched a state-of-the-art fleet of highway patrol vehicles and a modern Dispatch Centre, a major development aimed at strengthening road safety enforcement and reducing road traffic accidents across Zambia.
The move is being hailed as a significant milestone in improving the country’s capacity to monitor traffic, respond quickly to emergencies, and enforce road regulations using modern technology.
Government Says Digital Road Enforcement Is a Strategic Investment
Speaking during the official launch, Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali said investing in digital road safety enforcement should not be viewed as an expense, but rather as a strategic investment in protecting lives and national productivity.
Tayali noted that technology-driven road enforcement will help reduce road accidents, protect citizens, and preserve Zambia’s human capital.
“By leveraging technology and modern enforcement systems, this initiative will reduce road traffic accidents, preserve lives, and ensure that citizens continue contributing productively to national development,” Tayali said.
RTSA Patrol Fleet Includes 20 Fully Equipped Highway Vehicles
RTSA Board Chairperson Dr John Mumba disclosed that the newly launched patrol fleet consists of 20 fully equipped highway patrol vehicles, fitted with advanced systems designed to enhance traffic monitoring and enforcement.
He explained that the vehicles come with:
Onboard cameras
Speed detection systems
Real-time communication links
Direct connection to the newly established Dispatch Centre
Dr Mumba said the investment will improve RTSA’s ability to detect and respond to traffic violations in real time.
Dispatch Centre to Operate as Zambia’s Road Monitoring Nerve Centre
The newly established Dispatch Centre, located at RTSA Headquarters in Lusaka, will serve as the main hub for monitoring road traffic, coordinating incident response, and collecting enforcement data.
The centre is connected to RTSA’s Intelligent Transport System, allowing the agency to conduct 24-hour surveillance of major highways and improve response time to road accidents and emergencies.
RTSA CEO Says Move Shifts Enforcement from Reactive to Proactive
RTSA Director and Chief Executive Officer Eng. Amon Mweemba described the launch as a major transformation in the agency’s operations.
He said the new fleet and Dispatch Centre will enable RTSA to move from reacting to accidents after they happen, to proactively preventing them through real-time monitoring.
“These vehicles and the Dispatch Centre give our officers the tools to detect violations in real time, coordinate rapid response to crashes, and build a database that informs policy. This is about saving lives through technology,” Mweemba said.
Patrol Units to Target Accident Hotspots
Eng. Mweemba further revealed that the patrol vehicles will be deployed to major accident-prone highways across Zambia, including:
Great North Road
Great East Road
Ndola–Kitwe Dual Carriageway
He added that the focus will be on curbing key causes of accidents such as:
speeding
drunk driving
unroadworthy vehicles
Zambia Recorded Over 30,000 Road Crashes in 2025
RTSA data indicates that Zambia recorded over 30,000 road traffic crashes in 2025, with more than 1,800 fatalities.
RTSA attributes most accidents to human error, speeding, and poor vehicle conditions.
The agency believes the introduction of modern patrol technology and digital monitoring will help reduce the alarming numbers.
Fleet Procured Under Road Safety Investment Programme
RTSA confirmed that the new patrol fleet and Dispatch Centre were procured under the Government’s Road Safety Investment Programme, with support from cooperating partners.
Authorities say the investment demonstrates government commitment to improving road safety and reducing preventable deaths on Zambian roads.
Conclusion
With the introduction of the high-tech patrol fleet and Dispatch Centre, RTSA is expected to strengthen enforcement, improve emergency response, and reduce the number of fatal road accidents.
The development is being seen as a major step towards modernising Zambia’s road safety systems and promoting safer highways for all road users.