Addressing the inconsistency in the current road safety laws, the Tanzanian government is taking a significant step toward enhancing public safety by proposing an amendment to the 1973 Road Safety Act. This legislative reform aims to mandate helmet use for all motorcycle riders and passengers, which is currently unenforced for passengers. Home Affairs Deputy Minister Daniel Sillo confirmed this initiative in response to questions from lawmakers Asha Abdallah Juma and Amina Ali Mzee during a recent National Assembly session. This move comes as a response to the alarming rate of road accidents associated with driver negligence and inadequate legal measures.
The government has consulted a wide range of stakeholders and is in the final stages of drafting the bill to present before the National Assembly. Deputy Minister Sillo highlighted that the revised legislation would expand the authority of traffic police, enabling them to enforce these new regulations more effectively. This amendment aims not only to correct the present legal discrepancies but also to address the growing concern around road safety. In addition to requiring helmet use for passengers, the new law seeks to reduce road accidents by imposing stricter penalties on reckless drivers and improving overall enforcement measures.
Stronger Enforcement and Safety Measures
The proposed amendment will allow the traffic police to take more decisive actions against those who disregard road safety rules. Currently, the existing law only requires drivers to wear helmets, which leaves passengers unprotected and contributes to the high number of fatalities and serious injuries in motorcycle accidents. Deputy Minister Sillo emphasized that broader enforcement powers would help in curbing road accidents effectively. The government also plans to continue with punitive actions such as revoking licenses and prosecuting negligent drivers as part of its comprehensive strategy to improve road safety in Tanzania.
In response to the increasing incidents of reckless driving and the recent involvement of Members of Parliament in accidents, lawmakers like Kinondoni MP Abbas Tarimba have voiced support for more stringent road safety laws. The disorderly behavior of bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) drivers is another critical issue that needs to be addressed. This legislative change signifies a unified governmental effort to tackle these pressing safety concerns by making helmet use mandatory for all motorcycle occupants. This strategy aims to reduce the risk of severe injuries and fatalities and create a safer road environment in the country.
Government’s Comprehensive Approach
The Tanzanian government is addressing inconsistencies in road safety laws by proposing a significant amendment to the 1973 Road Safety Act. This reform aims to require all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets, a mandate currently unenforced for passengers. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Daniel Sillo, confirmed this initiative during a National Assembly session, responding to questions from lawmakers Asha Abdallah Juma and Amina Ali Mzee. The amendment comes in response to high rates of road accidents linked to driver negligence and inadequate laws.
The government has consulted numerous stakeholders and is finalizing the bill to present to the National Assembly. Deputy Minister Sillo noted that the revised legislation would grant traffic police greater authority to enforce these new rules effectively. This amendment not only aims to correct existing legal gaps but also to tackle the increasing concern over road safety. Beyond requiring helmet use for passengers, the new law seeks to reduce road accidents by imposing stricter penalties on reckless drivers and enhancing overall enforcement measures.
