Road Transport Safety Agency (RTSA) has warned motorists using private vehicles for commercial purposes to stop the practice stating that the law will not be friendly on them.
RTSA Public Relations Officer Public Fredrick Mubanaga noted that those endangering passengers’ lives in the name of making money will be dealt with accordingly.
“We have always advised road users not to pirate because the capacity of the vehicle cannot manage to load a certain amount of people and overloading exerts pressure on the vehicle therefore causing accidents,’’ he said.
Mubanga said this after the Mazabuka road accident in which five people died and the Toyota Noah one of the five cars involved was being used as a public service vehicle.
And when asked on the 2015 report of banning of the Toyota Noah, Mubanga said there has not been any report and the car is allowed on the road but only accommodating seven people.
He has also appealed to passengers to avoid getting on private transport as such cars put their lives in danger.
Mubanga has further urged motorists to drive safely and smart during this festive season to avoid accidents.
“Avoid over speeding, be attentive on the road and avoid drunken driving, there is a life after Christmas,’’ he said.
He has also appealed to RATSA and police officers on duty during this period to make sure that motorists are fit to be on the road.
And Moses Musamba a Lusaka motorist has urged fellow motorists to be sober and ‘not to drink and drive’ but to drive safely and not get over-excited as such can cause unnecessary accidents.
The RATSA PR revealed that during this period it will mount as many road blocks as possible to ensure that there is sober road usage.
Mubanga has further urged pedestrians to be careful and on a look out to avoid unnecessary accidents.