Road accidents kill over 900
What you need to know:
- Traffic Police Commander Mohamed Mpinga explained that 238 died in the accidents in February and 726 others were injured.
Dar es Salaam. At least 970 people died and over 2,470 others injured in road accidents in the past four months, police said.
Traffic Police Commander Mohamed Mpinga told journalists here yesterday that 273 died in January alone and 876 others were injured in road accidents.
He explained that 238 died in the accidents in February and 726 others were injured.
“It is saddening that between March 11 and April 12 some 103 people died in road accidents and 138 others were injured.”
He said to a large extent speeding was the main source of accidents followed by other factors such as poor infrastructure, sharp corners and sliding.
Mr Mpinga is planning to meet Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) officials to work out new strategies to control speed.
“There is need for Sumatra to review the schedule for buses going upcountry,” he said.
He said it would be better to spend two days for long routes like that from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza to reduce road accidents.
He also spoke of plans to amend traffic laws to seal loopholes including lenient punishment for those violating traffic rules. “The current law is short of strong punishment to drivers who cause accidents negligently,” he warned.
He said the Bill to amend the laws had been drafted and was awaiting tabling in Parliament for debate.
