TANZANIA: EVERY year on the third week of August, Tanzania celebrates Road Safety Week. This week is dedicated to raising public awareness about road safety laws, proper use of pedestrian crossings and the importance of following traffic rules, especially for motorcyclists. It also includes vehicle inspections to ensure they are roadworthy.
Statistics from available data in the Ministry of Home Affairs show the alarming trend of road accidents in Tanzania. In 2023 alone, the country had 1,641 accidents, resulting in 1,550 deaths. These included 1,189 men and 361 women.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) also estimates that road accidents caused 32.9 deaths per 100,000 people in Tanzania.
Amid these disturbing statistics, Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) is making a significant impact with its ‘Inawezekana’ campaign. “SBL has been a leader in promoting responsible drinking through our ‘Positive Drinking’ program,” says John Wanyancha, SBL’s Director of Corporate Affairs.
“Our campaign educates young people and other customers about the dangers of driving under the influence and encourages them to adopt safer practices.”
SBL’s efforts are part of a broader commitment to road safety that involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including the government, the police, drivers and road safety organisations like TANROADS and LATRA. “We are committed to enhancing the safety of Tanzanians and their property,” Wanyancha added.
One might wonder why a beer company would promote responsible drinking, which might seem negative to its business interests. However, SBL understands the importance of responsible consumption.
“We recognise our responsibility to encourage our customers to drink responsibly so they can fully participate in the country’s development activities,” Wanyancha explained.
The ‘Inawezekana’ campaign uses a mix of entertainment and education, bringing together stakeholders such as the police, drivers, parents, teachers, students and the general public for discussions and awareness activities.
Rispa Hatibu, SBL’s Communications and Sustainability Manager, emphasised the company’s proactive stance. “We are committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that drivers, especially those who drink, are aware of the dangers of driving under the influence and practice safe driving.”
Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to reckless driving, leading to accidents that harm not only the drivers but also other road users. “Our company will always be ready to collaborate with various stakeholders to reduce deaths, injuries and significant losses caused by preventable accidents,” Hatibu assured.
Statistics indicate that 40 per cent of road accident victims are pedestrians, while the remaining 60 per cent are other road users, including motorcyclists, cyclists and motorists. Abdallah Lubala, leader of the Drivers Association in Tanzania, noted that many accidents are caused by human errors such as drunkenness, infrastructure issues, vehicle conditions, driver negligence and errors by law enforcers.
The message from SBL is clear: By drinking responsibly and practicing safe driving, we can significantly reduce the number of road accidents and save lives. ‘Inawezekana’ campaign is a testament to the power of corporate responsibility and community collaboration in making our roads safer for everyone.
“At SBL, we believe that fostering a culture of responsible drinking and safe driving is crucial for the well-being of our communities. Together, we can make a significant difference and save lives,” concluded Wanyancha.
As the SBL joins forces with other stakeholders to address the situation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that road traffic crashes result in the deaths of approximately 1.19 million people around the world each year and leave between 20 and 50 million people with non-fatal injuries. More than half of all road traffic deaths, according to WHO, occur among vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29. Yet, two-thirds of road traffic fatalities occur among people of working age (18–59 years). Nine in ten fatalities on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries, even though these countries have around 60 per cent of the world’s vehicles.
In addition to the human suffering caused by road traffic injuries, they also impose a heavy economic burden on victims and their families, both through treatment costs for the injured and through the loss of productivity of those killed or disabled. More broadly, road traffic injuries have a serious impact on national economies, costing countries 3 per cent of their annual gross domestic product.
Measures proven to reduce the risk of road traffic injuries and deaths exist, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has set an ambitious target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030. According to the United Nations’ Road Safety Fund (RSF), Tanzania has significant gaps in Emergency Care Systems (ECS), including a lack of an organised on-scene response to road traffic crashes, resulting in deaths at the scene of injury and lifelong disabilities.
At 31 deaths per 100,000 populations, WHO reports that fatalities from road traffic crashes in Tanzania are almost 1.7 times the global rate and higher than the African average.
To promote road safety in Tanzania, the UNRSF Steering Committee approved a “Strengthening Post-Crash Care” project in May. On June 28, 2023, UNRSF held an information session with stakeholders from WHO and government agencies to discuss the project.
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The project will use the WHO emergency care toolkit to improve post-crash care and outcomes for victims of road traffic injuries by strengthening the capacity of first responders and hospitals to care for the injured.
Behind the high number of accidents reported in Tanzania, according to the Police Force, are (i) dangerous driving, (ii) driver negligence, (iii) negligence of bicyclists, (iv) negligence of motorcyclists, (v) excessive speed, (vi) improper overtaking, (vii) negligence of pedestrians and (viii) alcoholism.
Tanzania takes action
In a significant move aimed at revolutionising traffic management and combating corruption, in April 2024, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced plans to deploy cameras and automated systems on road networks nationwide. This announcement marks a significant step towards modernising law enforcement and ensuring smoother traffic flow throughout the country.
The president made this announcement during an official ceremony at State House in Dar es Salaam where she swore in several leaders. President Samia emphasised that the transition to automated systems is part of a broader effort to modernise the Ministry of Home Affairs and enhance efficiency in policing. By leveraging technology, the government aims to reduce instances of corruption and ensure swift responses to incidents on the roads.
“We are transforming the Ministry of Home Affairs to go electronically, so that Police Stations will be able to send real-time reports to the police headquarters on the same day an incident occurs, eliminating the long delays,” President Samia remarked during the ceremony.
