Transport players call for I-Button tech to tackle road carnage
What you need to know:
- I-Button holds drivers accountable, strengthens compliance and helps to ensure the safety of the passengers.
Dar es Salaam. In an effort to tackle the rising number of road accidents and enhance safety standards, stakeholders in the transport sector have proposed the expanded use of driver Identification Button (I-Button) technology in all modes of transportation.
I-Button holds drivers accountable, strengthens compliance and helps to ensure the safety of the passengers.
This comes after the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) announced last Friday that they had embarked on a special programme that targets drivers for special hire buses to ensure they use the I-Button.
Tanzania Bus Owners Association (Taboa) secretary general Priscus Joseph told The Citizen on Sunday, January 6, 2025, that all cargo vehicles must be fitted with Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) and drivers must use I-Button.
“If we want to eliminate road accidents, implementation of I-Button must be extended to lorries because not all special hire buses cause accidents, there are also accidents involving head-on collisions with trucks,” he said.
Mr Joseph urged Latra to collaborate with various stakeholders to provide awareness training to drivers on the essential use of I-Button.
“Drivers must be equipped with training on this innovative solution which aims to improve driver accountability and vehicle safety compliance, providing a proactive approach to minimizing risks and ensuring safer journeys for all road users, “he said.
Shabiby Bus Company manager Edward Magawa told The Citizen that VTS and I-Button have helped reduce accidents involving upcountry buses, but efforts to install these systems should also extend to trucks and passenger vehicles to reduce road accidents.
“I am speaking from experience, most drivers drive at high speed and do not usually take precautions therefore, the innovative technology is implemented to lorries and the number accidents will reduce,” he said.
Mr Magawa also asked the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanraods) to frequently improve roads because most of the roads are in bad shape.
According to him, the number of cars have kept increasing in the country but the roads are still the same.
Latra Consumers Consultative Council (Latra CCC) executive secretary Daud Daudi said that the I-Button should be expanded to commuter buses, taxes and other related transporters.
I-Button holds drivers accountable, strengthens compliance and helps to ensure the safety of the passengers.
Thus, if the innovative technology is extended to means of transport it will minimize risks and ensure safer journeys for all road users,” he said.
Last Friday, Latra’s Head of Public Relations and Communications Unity, Mr Salum Pazzy said that they have embarked on special hire buses because analysis indicates the aforementioned buses were leading in creating road accidents.
