Tame rogue government drivers
The country yesterday woke up to the shocking news of the death of three senior officials of the Tanzania Investment Centre in a grisly road accident in Chalinze on Monday. Another official and the driver of the ill-fated vehicle were admitted to hospital in a critical condition.
According to Coast Region police, the accident was caused by speeding and negligence on the part of the driver of the vehicle carrying the TIC officers, who were en route to Dodoma for an official function.
According to the accident report filed soon after the accident, the 23-year-old driver had left his lane and sped on the opposite one with little regard for oncoming traffic. As a result, he collided head-on with an oncoming lorry leading the unfortunate turn of events. It is sad to lose such productive lives in an accident that was entirely avoidable.
We would not want to appear to condemn the young driver wholesomely for what happened, but some drivers of government owned vehicles are among the most indisciplined on the road. Often, they disregard other road users and break traffic rules knowing they will go scot free. Police should take serious action to end this road impunity, and save lives.
