- Urges new approach to curb increasing number of fatal crashes
DODOMA: THE Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango has urged road safety stakeholders to strengthen strategies for controlling road crashes, emphasising that human error, including alcoholism and speeding, accounts for 76 per cent of incidents.
Dr Mpango made the remarks on Monday, during the opening of National Road Safety Week and the 50th Anniversary of the National Road Safety Council at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma. The theme for Road Safety Week 2024 is “Drive Safely, Arrive Safely.”
He noted that poor road infrastructure contributes 16 per cent to road crashes while environmental factors account for 8 per cent.
According to police statistics, there were 1,733 road accidents in 2023, up from 1,720 in 2022. Deaths from these crashes totalled 1,647 in 2023, marking a 6.6 per cent increase from the 1,545 deaths reported in 2022. Additionally, injuries rose to 2,716 in 2023 from 2,278 in 2022.
Dr Mpango warned that without effective measures, serious road crashes could become the leading cause of death by 2030.
He also highlighted a troubling rise in motorcycle crashes, with 435 incidents resulting in 376 deaths from January to December 2023, compared to 332 fatalities in the same period in 2022—an increase of 13.3 per cent.
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The VP emphasised the need for strict enforcement of laws regarding helmet use, limiting the number of passengers on motorcycles and ensuring legal driving licences and vehicle insurance.
He encouraged all motorcycle riders to join their federation and obtain insurance for themselves and their properties.
To support the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2020–2030, Dr Mpango called for several key strategies, including regular inspections that must be conducted.
“Conduct vehicle and motorcycle inspections throughout the year, rather than waiting for National Road Safety Week,” he said.
The Vice-President also demanded an improved transport regulation, addressing issues such as unprofessional drivers and overcrowding.
He insisted that drivers should receive specialised training from recognised institutions, where they will receive proper training on their role in preventing road accidents and hold valid driving licences.
Dr Mpango also underscored the importance of regulating school transport vehicles, noting that many are in poor condition, posing risks to both students and drivers.
He pointed out that some drivers lack professionalism and integrity, leading to various dangers, including fatal crashes.
He also called for enhanced efforts to educate the public on road safety regulations through various media, including radio and television as well as encourage passengers to report any violations of road safety rules, particularly regarding speeding and damage to road infrastructure.
Dr Mpango urged the use of technology in improving road safety, including utilisation of information technology to better manage road safety and address traffic violations, while also insisting on support for women drivers.
“Time is up to prioritise initiatives to support and promote safe driving among women,” he said, while also calling for effective media engagement, through well-developed programmes that focus on educating the public about road safety rules and responsibilities.
The Vice- President also emphasised the need to shift from traditional celebrations of Road Safety Week to a focus on changing attitudes and behaviours of road users.
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He underscored the importance of regular vehicle inspections throughout the year, rather than waiting for National Road Safety Week.
Acknowledging that human error is the leading cause of road accidents in the country, Dr Mpango stressed the need to address five specific risk factors: speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, not wearing helmets, not using seat belts and the lack of safety equipment for young children in vehicles.
The Chairman of the National Road Safety Council and Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Daniel Sillo, announced a national strategy to combat road crashes, which includes measures to address drunk and reckless driving, speed regulation and involving vehicle owners in accountability efforts.
He added that the strategy aims to control unqualified vehicle operations, lack of insurance and small vehicle transport of passengers, as well as to manage motorcycle and three wheelers’ crashes. It also includes ensuring passengers use seat belts, identifying and addressing hazardous road areas and implementing a driver’s licence point system to remove habitual offenders.
Police Chief IGP Camillus Wambura revealed that the police have developed various electronic systems in collaboration with government stakeholders to monitor vehicle behaviour, including licensing, accident reporting and fine payment systems.
For the first time in 2024, the Traffic Police Unit will offer vehicle inspection and safety sticker issuance services through the government payment system (GePG). An electronic registration system for trainee drivers will soon be launched to help monitor each registered student and determine their eligibility for a driving licence.
