Decade of Action Launch in Tanzania

25th May 2011

The Automobile Association of Tanzania (AAT) took bold steps to support the United Nations Decade of Action after inviting the Minister for Transport, Omar Nundu, to launch the distribution of crash helmets to 50 motorcyclists in Tanga city on 23 May 2011.

The motorcyclists turned up in huge numbers as they sought to get helmets amid the upsurge in road accidents in the country. An escalation in road fatalities that rose from 3,223 in 2009 to 3,582 in 2010, is among the main reasons behind AAT’s campaign to improve safety among road users, and in particular motorcyclists.

Tanga, the north-eastern city of the country, has been chosen as the focal point for the safety campaign as it has the highest number of motorcyclists. In the presence of AAT President, Nizar Jivani, and the Lord Mayor of Tanga, Omari Guledi, the campaign for improved road safety took off with a promising note as fliers and stickers on road safety were distributed. The AAT, working in cooperation with all stakeholders in motor sport and road users, are keen to meet the Decade of Action’s goal to make driving safer.

Underlining the need to have safe drivers and avoid accidents, AAT President Nizar Jivani said that motorcyclists and drivers of three wheelers should comply with traffic safety regulations by wearing good quality helmets as well as safety belts at all times.

He also proposed a ban to be imposed on the use of mobile telephones during driving, the improvement and installation of road traffic signs, and keeping headlights switched on regardless of weather or time.

The international slogan for FIA is “Together we can save millions of Lives” which in Tanzania is also used in the local Swahili language: “ Kwa pamoja tunaweza kuokoa maisha ya mamilion ya watu”.