Bishops, sheikhs committee rue reckless driving

DAR ES SALAAM: THE National Committee of Bishops and Sheikhs on Ethics, Peace and Human Rights has expressed regret over many road crashes happening in the country, warning that reckless driving is the main reason.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Chairman of the Committee, Bishop William Mwamalanga called on authorities to take stern measures against the drivers, specifically as the country enters the festive season.

Bishop Mwamalanga noted it was sad that even after President Samia Suluhu Hassan issued a warning and called on authorities to take measure to avoid road crashes that have currently been on the rise, road crashes are still rampant.

The statement comes few days after 15 people died and seven injured after a Toyota Coaster bus collided head on with a truck seeking to overtake another vehicle while travelling from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro.

Bishop Mwamalanga noted that it was a tragic accident that lost valued lives of Tanzanians, including children, something he said that could be easily avoided, just by drivers observing the traffic rules.

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“It is so sad that the accident happened few days after warning from the Head of State who had issued directives to the responsible authorities to manage well road use by drivers so as to avoid loss of lives and injuries,” said Bishop Mwamalanga.

He added that it is pertinent for minister responsible for transport and his officials in different units to identify areas that are accident-prone and take necessary steps to put the infrastructure in friendly shape, such as widening the roads, levelling them as well as putting warning signboards.

The committee offered condolences to President Samia and her aides as well as families of the deceased.

“We offer our condolences to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, her aides and families of the deceased, while we pray for the souls of the dead to get eternal lives and the injured to recover quickly.

“We want the traffic police to heed and quickly execute the directives issued by President Samia. We, religious leaders in the country, advise all the owners of buses that transport passengers to change the doors of their vehicles so that it may be easy to open them during road crashes to save the passengers, instead of the current types that open and shut automatically,” he said.

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Effects of road crashes include serious injuries including back or spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, mental injuries and injuries causing permanent disabilities.

Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are among the eight-leading causes of death globally. Strategies and policies have been put in place by many countries to reduce RTCs and to prevent RTCs and related injuries/deaths.

Road trauma or traffic accidents can have profound and lasting impacts on a person’s life, both in the present and the future. These impacts can be physical, emotional, social and financial, affecting not only the individual but also their family and loved ones.

The consequences of life-changing accidents can be far-reaching, potentially significantly altering a person’s ability to earn money and maintain their quality of life.