ZANZIBAR: THE government has called on the public to join hands in raising awareness over the increasing number of road accidents that are linked to reckless driving, use of alcohol and violation of traffic laws, rules and regulations.
The authorities have asked the citizens to work closely with law enforcement agents to ensure road accidents are controlled.
The residents also have raised concern over failure by motorists to value their lives and consider safety of other road users.
They also asked the government to consider amending the traffic laws to hold reckless drivers accountable.
Data show a total 16 people lost their lives in Zanzibar last month while in September, this year, a total of 17 people died due to road accidents.
Mr Ahmada Hassan Suleiman from the Department of Criminal Offenses, Claims and Gender, Office of the Chief Government Statistician (OCGS)- Zanzibar said at the monthly media briefing on road accidents, that the cause of accidents remains speeding and negligence of motorists.
“We appeal to drivers and other road users to observe safety regulations to avoid accidents. Most of the accidents are avoidable, particularly at this time when roads are improved,” Mr Suleiman said. He added that Unguja North A District recorded a bigger number of road accidents, with a total of 19 accidents last month.
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He said most of the victims of accidents are men, saying out of 16 accidents recorded last month, six were women and 10 were men. He said most of the accidents involved pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles (bodaboda).
Mr Hassan Khatib, one of the activists of road safety, said it is high time police turned to special technology to identifying reckless drivers including speeding so that they are punished.
“Better roads shouldn’t be the cause of accidents, instead they contribute to reducing or ending road accidents in the country,” he said, adding that drivers need frequent reminders of road safety regulations.
He said that drivers, particularly of public transport (daladala) and commuter motorbikes (bodaboda) have a lot of contributions to offer in this aspect because before they acquire driving licenses, they have to undergo the driving training, but very unfortunately they are the ones who violate traffic laws, rules and regulations.
