PEDESTRIANS and motorcyclists continue to be over-represented in road traffic fatalities despite an overall decrease in the number of road deaths and accidents during the first nine months of 2017.
According to Traffic Police statistics,
1,906 people died in road accidents reported nationally between January
and September, this year. This was an improvement from 2,503 deaths
during the same period last year.
“The number of deaths dropped by 23.8
per cent while accidents also decreased from 7,128 to 4,233, which is a
40 per cent drop,” said Chief Traffic Police Commander, Mr Fortunatus
Musilimu.
He attributed the sharp decline in the
number of accidents and deaths to robust road safety campaigns and
operations carried out by the Traffic Police department and other
stakeholders. Despite the significant decrease, the rate of road deaths
remains high in Tanzania with vulnerable road users, the pedestrians,
being the main casualties.
The statistics show that 566 pedestrians
were killed in traffic crashes across the country. The figure accounted
for 29.7 per cent of all 1,906 road traffic related deaths recorded
between January and September.
Additionally, 624 pedestrians were
treated for non-fatal crash-related injuries during that period.
Meanwhile, 475 motorcyclists died in road accidents while 742 cheated
death during the first nine months of this year.
Road accidents also killed 154 cyclists
leaving 96 injured. “Pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists suffer the
most severe consequences in collisions with other road users because
they cannot protect themselves against the speed and mass of the other
party,” said Inspector, Mr Yohana Mjema from Traffic Police Department.
Vehicle passengers ranked second after
pedestrians in number of road deaths, with 559 deaths recorded between
January and September, while 2,467 passengers suffered nonfatal
injuries. A total of 144 drivers were killed in traffic crashes with 297
cheating death.
On the other hand, eight pushcart
operators died and seven suffered non-fatal injuries. Kinondoni Region
topped the road accidents chart after reporting 872 incidents followed
by Ilala (716) and Temeke (469), while Rukwa recorded the lowest number
of crashes, 30.
Last year Ilala led the statistics with
1,798 recorded between January and September, while Kinondoni ranked
second with 1,642 crashes. Meanwhile, the coalition of Road Safety
Stakeholders yesterday lauded the political will by the government to
amend the Road Traffic Act of 1973.
Officiating the opening of the National
Road Safety Week on Monday, Vice-President Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan
directed relevant authorities to fast-track the amendment of the
existing Road Traffic Act so that the legislation addresses current
needs for road safety.
Reacting to the Vice President’s speech,
World Health Organisation (WHO) National Road Safety Officer, Mary
Kessy envisaged smooth progress to the proposed Road Traffic Act review
given the political will demonstrated by highest level of government.
“For a couple of years there has been
persistent calls from the coalition of road safety stakeholders, urging
the review of the outdated Road Traffic Act, and it’s great to see the
Vice-President supporting the move, it shows that the government shares
our concerns and is ready to amend the road safety laws,” said Ms Kessy.
Mr Jones John, Coordinator of Legal
Development Programme with Ekama Foundation and WHO said the top level
commitment came at an opportune time and urged relevant authorities to
swiftly work on the VP’s directives to amend the current legislation.
“Finally, we’re more optimistic that the
long - awaited law reform would now be implemented. It is high time the
government introduces a more stringent legislation, one that would
influence motorists’ driving behaviours,” TAMWA official, Edson Sosten
said.
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