Time for Police to put brakes on rowdy bodaboda

AS the calendar flips into the new year, Tanzanians are hoping for a lot of things, especially during these festivities. Better roads and maybe an end to the endless queues at the gas stations.

But there’s one thing that tops the wish list for every motorist in this country: sanity on the roads, particularly from our beloved bodaboda riders.

Now, before we start, let’s give credit where credit is due. Bodabodas (motorcycle taxis) are a lifeline for many Tanzanians. They’re quick, affordable and help people reach their destinations in no time especially when traffic congestion is out of control.

But and here comes the kicker, some bodaboda riders have taken the “freedom of movement” motto a little too far. In fact, it’s a wild, unpredictable circus out there and let’s just say that sanity is often left behind on the pavement.

Where should we start? Oh, how about that favourite bodaboda maneuver zigzagging through traffic. It’s one thing to be in a hurry, but it’s another to make the entire road your personal slalom course.

Riders weaving through lanes at breakneck speed, overtaking on the left (and let’s be honest, the right too), as if they’ve missed the memo that “left” isn’t just a direction for when you’re on a bicycle.

Then there’s the issue of overcrowding. Bodabodas used to carry one passenger, but now, it seems like it’s a party on two wheels.

You’ll find riders with not just one, but two or three passengers hanging on for dear life, as though they’re preparing for the next season of “Survivor: Boda Edition”.

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Where’s the sanity in that? But that’s not all. Let’s talk about helmetsor rather, the lack thereof. At this point, if you see a bodaboda rider actually wearing a helmet, it’s as rare as a solar eclipse. And if they do wear one, it’s probably more for decoration than for safety.

Seriously, are we all just hoping that in case of an accident, gravity will be merciful? And let’s not forget the harassment.

Bodaboda riders are often seen shouting at motorists, insulting them with words that can’t be repeated in polite company, and creating chaos in an already volatile traffic situation.

You could be trying to drive peacefully when suddenly, a bodaboda pops up from nowhere, flips you the bird and tells you that your car is acquired from a loan bank, hence, you need to clear road for him.

At this point, even the most patient of drivers are starting to wonder if we’ve entered some alternate universe where road rules don’t apply. So, what are we asking for? It’s simple: the Police Force to step up their game in the new year.

We need some real enforcement, folks. It’s time to stop with the passive “hey, maybe they’ll learn” attitude and start taking action. The message needs to be loud and clear: if you want to ride, follow the rules.

If not, meet the full wrath of the law. We want a country where every bodaboda rider understands that the road isn’t a racetrack, the left lane is for the patient, and pedestrians are, in fact, humans who deserve to walk without dodging motorcycles.