The Zambian government has lifted its year-long ban on trucks driving between the hours of 21h00 and 05h00.
This follows complaints from cross-border traders and mining companies that the decision had negatively affected trade.
The government put the restrictions in place to reduce the frequency of accidents at night, with Fredrick Mubanga, head of public relations at Zambia’s Road Transport and Safety Agency, highlighting statistics showing that 55% of accidents involving goods public service vehicles occurred at night.
Cross-border traders complained that the ban meant a reduction in profits as they often needed to pay for overnight stays.
"The mining sector is obviously relieved that the measures have been amended to reflect the reality of transporting essential industrial inputs and commodities on our roads," said president of the Zambian Chamber of Mines, Nathan Chishimba,
Foreign mining companies operating in Zambia include First Quantum Mineral, Barrick Gold, Glencore and Vedanta Resources.
Zambia’s Minister of Transport, Brian Mushimba, pointed out that the number of on Zambia's roads almost tripled to 700 000 in the 10 years to 2016, increasing road fatalities in the with more than 2 000 people dyinglast year alone, according to government statistics.
He said the ban would remain in force for buses but that trucks, which also transport copper – the nation's main export – would be allowed to move at night.
