Tanzanian police mull digital system to curb rising road road fatalities

Dar es Salaam. In response to a surge in road accidents that have claimed 38 lives in the past two weeks, the Tanzanian government is set to deploy a new Digital Enforcement Traffic and Control Technology (DECT) system.

This initiative aims to improve road user behavior and enhance law enforcement effectiveness.

Recent reports highlight a series of deadly accidents: on September 6, a crash involving an A.N. Classic bus claimed 12 lives, while a Kibasila bus accident in Morogoro resulted in four deaths.

On September 3, a Shari Line bus crash in Mbeya caused nine fatalities, and on August 31, eight people were killed in separate incidents across Manyara and Dodoma.

The DECT system, which includes advanced safer city cameras, will be introduced to monitor traffic and crime violations more effectively.

These cameras are designed to detect speeding and the use of mobile phones while driving. They will monitor all drivers to ensure adherence to traffic regulations.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Ramadhani Nganzi expressed his concern over the recent spate of accidents. “We are deeply troubled by the increase in road fatalities over the past few weeks,” he told The Citizen.

SACP Nganzi outlined the government’s plan to install DECT cameras on major highways in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza, and Arusha. However, he noted that the installation process may be delayed pending budget approval from the ministry of Home Affairs.

“In the interim, we are launching a nationwide operation today, September 10, 2024, deploying traffic officers across various regions,” he said. “While we await the camera installations, we are enhancing our manual enforcement efforts and continuing public awareness campaigns targeting bus drivers and motorcyclists.”

Commander Nganzi also urged bus operators to hire qualified drivers to help mitigate accidents, noting that many incidents occur during daylight hours.

He pointed out that certain accident-prone areas are affected by their geographical features and inadequate infrastructure, which need redesigning.

As an example, he mentioned that in Mbeya, truck routes have been diversified to prevent sharing lanes with smaller vehicles, which has been a factor in many accidents.

Commander Nganzi acknowledged that accident-prone areas exist globally due to various factors, including challenging geography and road design. He emphasised that regions like Mbeya and Manyara face similar issues due to their terrain and infrastructure.

The DECT system represents a significant step toward improving road safety and reducing traffic-related fatalities in Tanzania. The government is committed to implementing this technology to ensure safer roads for all citizens.