Editorial Cartoon
In recent years accidents that involved motorbikes seem to be fast increasing while those that involve upcountry bound buses took a dip, fortunately but still occupy second slot.
We have recently been informed that road accidents that occurred in the first quarter of this year have so far claimed at least 854 lives and injured 4,144 others. The total number of accidents that occurred during that period stands at 4,893.
The picture is worse if one focuses on the subject on yearly basis, where available statistics show that in 2013 alone, some 24,480 road accidents occurred in the country claiming 4,091 lives, leaving 21,536 others injured.
In 2012 a total of 23,604 road accidents were reported, causing 4,062 deaths nationwide and injuring 20,037 others.
Focusing on motorbike accidents, statistics show that between January and November in 2012 there were 5,763 motorcycle accidents which claimed 930 lives and left 5,532 people injured, while in 2013 there were 6,831 motorcycle accidents leaving 1,098 people dead and 6,578 others injured.
These statistics by all standards reflect a lack of seriousness by law enforcers and the general public to address the problem.
Various researches attribute these accidents to human error, caused mainly by over speeding, negligent driving, driving while drinking, using cell phones, failure to respect and obey traffic regulations, as well as corrupt traffic police.
On Thursday this week, one of The Guardian Limited staff got an opportunity to travel from Mwanza to Dar es Salaam by bus during which he witnessed acts of recklessness by the bus driver that could put lives of passengers on board in danger.
For instance, from the beginning of the journey the driver was seen talking over the phone throughout the route while speeding. The same driver was spotted chewing ‘khat’ ostensibly to deter him from falling asleep.
All these were noticeable as the Guardian Limited staff was occupying Seat No A1 commonly known as the ‘Dead Man’s Seat.’ At Manyoni bus stand in Singida region, the driver was pleaded with to do away with those actions, and thanks God he accepted!
But the same staff witnessed another bus that was ahead plying between Mwanza and Iringa overtaking a car bearing government plate numbers at a bridge in Singida, narrowly missing to hit a motorcyclist.
However, in most sections of the Mwanza-Dar es Salaam highway, the traffic police could be seen doing their job but most probably they would be aware that drivers have a tendency of communicating among themselves enroute.
Another aspect that raised questions is the decision by bus owners to allow a single bus driver to drive all the way from Mwanza to Dar es Salaam, contravening an earlier order that requiring any long journey bus to have alternating drivers.
All said and done, there is a lot do on the part of the traffic police, passengers, bus owners and the general public but the government should show the way. If no affirmative action is taken we should prepare ourselves to witness more deaths, more people with disabilities and in that case orphans will be on the increase with its attendant accentuation of poverty in society.
Instead of being a blessing, provisions like having many upcountry buses and quicker hired transport by motorcycle these recent benefits become a curse.
Halting this tendency is never out of reach but not many of us are keen enough on the matter, save by constant reminders as with the bus driver to Mwanza.
That is why the media and opinion leaders should not stop repeating the message about speeding, talking over the phone and drunk driving. As the adage says, ‘it can be done if you play your part.’
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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