Road Safety Awareness Walk ends with a call for strict adherence to road safety rules
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Traffic Police have called on drivers of trucks, buses, private vehicles and, in particular, motorcycle taxi (bodaboda) riders to strictly observe road safety regulations in order to reduce road crashes and save lives.
Speaking during the Road Safety Awareness Walk and the closing ceremony of the “Road Safety Intervention for Urban Mobility – Safer Steps to School” project, the Traffic Police Headquarters Operations Officer, ACP Joseph Mwakabonga, stressed the importance of wearing protective helmets, holding valid driving licences and complying with all traffic laws.
He warned that offences such as running red lights, speeding and other forms of reckless driving would not be tolerated, adding that the Police Force would continue taking firm action against motorists who violate road safety regulations.
ACP Mwakabonga also encouraged members of the public to report traffic offences to the relevant authorities whenever they witness violations.
The awareness walk started at Ubungo Maziwa External Road and concluded at Makuburi Primary School.
He urged students who received training through the FIA Safe and Sustainable Mobility Grant Programme to apply the knowledge they had acquired in their daily lives by learning road signs and promoting safe road use.
According to him, the training equips students with the skills to identify traffic violations, including motorists who disregard traffic signs and road safety regulations, and report such offences to the responsible authorities.
“This education is important because it empowers students to become road safety ambassadors within their communities,” he said.
ACP Mwakabonga added that the Traffic Police continue to use interactive teaching methods to help children and young people better understand road safety laws, traffic signs and the proper use of transport infrastructure.
He congratulated the participating students and their teachers for their commitment to the programme, urging the learners to share the knowledge they had gained with their parents, relatives and the wider community.
He also called on parents and guardians to continue teaching children to respect road safety laws and to use roads responsibly.
“Today, no road can be considered 100 per cent safe. The increasing number of vehicles means children must remain vigilant whenever they leave their homes,” he said.
He noted that this year’s theme, “Everyone Deserves a Safe Journey,” reinforces the right of every Tanzanian to travel safely and reach their destination without harm, while reminding the public that everyone has a shared responsibility to reduce road crashes, protect lives and promote respect for traffic laws.
He added that the Police Force will continue working closely with the Automobile Association of Tanzania (AAT), the Government and other stakeholders to strengthen road safety education and enforcement in a bid to reduce road crashes, fatalities and injuries.
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Meanwhile, Hanif Virji, Vice President of the Automobile Association of Tanzania (AAT), said that through the FIA Safe and Sustainable Mobility Grant Programme, the association has implemented a number of road safety initiatives in 19 primary and secondary schools in Ubungo District.
He said the project has improved safety around participating schools through the installation and upgrading of traffic signs, zebra crossings and road markings.
Virji added that the programme has also provided road safety education to teachers and students while encouraging learners to become road safety ambassadors through drawing and essay-writing competitions conducted in schools and surrounding communities.
