Recent fatal road accidents on the newly upgraded Saulos Klaus Chilima Highway in Lilongwe have triggered urgent engagements among the Malawi Police Service, the Roads Authority (RA) and other road safety stakeholders.
The highway, formerly part of the Kenyatta- Mzimba Road expansion, has in recent weeks recorded a series of serious crashes, including a tragic accident near Nature Sanctuary last week, when it claimed five lives.
Following investigations, road safety officials have identified six “blind spots” and other high-risk sections along the highway.
Road Traffic Director Madalitso Kuyera said one of the most dangerous points is the Youth Drive junction near Nature Sanctuary, describing it as a major blind spot.
“The junction has become extremely dangerous,” Kuyera said.
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He further said the stretch between Parliament Roundabout and Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) has been flagged as hazardous, noting that the six-lane design has encouraged speeding.
Another high-risk area is the KCH interchange, where traffic connects from the new flyover on Mzimba Street to the underpass on Kenyatta Road, a layout that many motorists are still struggling to understand.
Police statistics indicate that speeding accounts for about 34 percent of accidents occurring on the newly upgraded road sections.
In response to the situation, stakeholders have proposed a number of interventions aimed at preventing further loss of life. These include reinstating traffic lights at Youth Drive junction and other key intersections along the Chilima Highway.
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Police have also called for stricter speed enforcement through increased patrols and the possible installation of speed cameras, warning that some motorists are treating the highway “like a racetrack”.
Meanwhile, the Roads Authority (RA) has identified three locations along the highway where traffic lights will be installed following the recent rise in cases of fatal accidents.
In a written response, RA spokesperson Alice Chinthochi acknowledged the safety concerns raised by road users and stakeholders and confirmed that the Youth Drive junction has been temporarily closed as an immediate mitigation measure. “In terms of mitigation, we have temporarily closed the entrance to Youth Drive along the highway. This closure will necessitate the installation of appropriate traffic control measures, specifically traffic lights, to enhance road safety,” Chinthochi said.
She added that similar interventions would be implemented at National Bank Old Town and the Sana-Petroda turn-off once traffic control installations are completed.
