Police warn bodaboda over traffic violations

DAR ES SLAAM: THE Tanzania Police Force has urged all motorcycle and bajaj (three-wheeler) riders to strictly observe road safety regulations to avoid road accidents that often result in permanent disabilities and fatalities.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the increasing number of riders, particularly bodaboda riders, who continue to flout road safety rules by carrying more than one passenger and, in some cases, operating without a valid driver’s licence.

General statistics from police show that between January and December last year, the country recorded a total of 1,735 accidents, of which 1,198 accidents resulted in the deaths of 1,715 people and injuries to 2,719 others.

97 per cent of the accidents were caused by human errors with the leading factors being negligence, reckless driving and speeding which together account for 73.7 per cent of all accidents.

Speaking over the weekend during the launch of a new engine lubricant for motorcycles and bajaj, the Havoline Ezy 4T Plus manufactured by Caltex, the Chang’ombe District Traffic Officer (DTO), Reverent Nkyami, insisted that riders must observe road safety laws to help curb the ongoing surge in road accidents across the country.

“No one should be on the road without proper knowledge of road safety regulations and laws. What we are seeing now is someone learning to ride in just two days on the street and the next day they are already on the road, carrying passengers dangerously. Because they lack road awareness, they ride carelessly and end up causing fatal accidents,” he said.

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Reverent Nkyami added that the police force has continued to educate riders and carry out various operations to raise awareness and minimise road accidents.

“The education we have been providing has significantly helped reduce road accidents. That’s why we are focusing heavily on educating motorcycle riders, as most accidents involve collisions between motorcycles and pedestrians, motorcycles and cars, motorcycles and other motorcycles and motorcycles and bajaji,” he said.

He also urged all motorcycle riders to take part in training sessions organised by the police to increase their knowledge and protect themselves from road-related dangers.

Commenting on the newly launched lubricant, Karimjee Value Chain Limited Business Lubricant Unit Manager, Mr Anam Mwemutsi, said the product is environmentally friendly and will help reduce operational costs, including the frequency of oil changes.