Minister Proposes Reckless Driving Be Equated to Murder as Road Accidents Hamper SDG 3 Attainment in Tanzania

Police van collided with a truck in Morogoro region, injuring seven people. Such accidents raises question about the ability for law enforces to curb pervasive deadly road accidents in Tanzania. Photo; Courtesy.

Minister Proposes Reckless Driving Be Equated to Murder as Road Accidents Hamper SDG 3 Attainment in Tanzania

By James Kamala 

In its effort to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Tanzania faces significant challenges due to the escalating number of road accidents. SDG 3.6 aims to halve global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes, while SDG 11.2 focuses on providing safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems and improving road safety for all. However, these targets seem increasingly out of reach as road accident rates surge.
Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, Tanzania’s Minister of Finance, recently proposed a drastic measure to address this crisis. He suggests amending the law to charge motorists found driving recklessly and those involved in fatal accidents with murder. He believes this would act as a deterrent and reduce road carnage.
“Those who drive recklessly should be treated as murderers,” Dr. Nchemba stated during his speech on the proposed budget draft. He highlighted alarming statistics, revealing that from 2019 to 2024, Tanzania experienced 10,093 road accidents, resulting in 7,639 deaths and 12,663 injuries.

Private vehicles accounted for 3,250 accidents, leading to 2,090 fatalities and 3,177 injuries. Buses on regional and upcountry routes caused 790 accidents, with 782 fatalities and 2,508 injuries. Minibuses, taxis, and rental vehicles also contributed significantly to the toll.

These figures do not include accidents involving motorcycles, tricycles (Bajaj), or pedestrians, underscoring the severity of the situation. Dr. Nchemba argued that equating reckless driving to murder is necessary, as negligence on the roads often results in fatalities, akin to someone being shot.

Despite the minister’s strong stance, road safety activists in Tanzania disagree. Augustus Fungo, a lawyer and former chairperson of Tanzania’s Road Safety Council, contends that the road accident problem is multifaceted and requires comprehensive solutions. He emphasizes the need for improved infrastructure and “forgiving roads” that reduce the consequences of minor driving errors. Mr Fungo sees more punitive measures to hold motorists more accountable when steering their vehicles.

“There is a need for controlling bribery among laa enforces and imposing hefty fines for defaulters. There are a lots of substance abuse among drivers which needs be tested and action taken,” He says and adds Tanzania needs to embark on technology use to detect recklessness and combat accidents.

Caption” Bus owned by Alfa company which claimed 19 lives on the sport, injuring 60 others in Nzega Towns, Tabora region. The bus which collided with a fuel tanker, was also said to have been over loaded beyond its capacity. Photo; Courtesy.

Henry Bantu, another road safety advocate, believes in the power of education over punitive measures. He calls for retraining drivers to handle various driving conditions and stresses the importance of adherence to traffic laws without enforcement.
Emergency department reports from Muhimbili National Hospital reveal the devastating impact of road accidents on the health sector. Dr. Biita Muhanuzi noted that deaths and injuries from road accidents surpass those from diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, exacerbating the strain on the healthcare system.
With around 86,500 kilometers of roads and approximately 700,000 vehicles, Tanzania’s road infrastructure is crucial for passenger and cargo transport. The roads are not duo carriage ways and hence, tantalizing for deadly head-on collision in case of slight mistakes.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has repeatedly called for concerted actions to address the situation, but the challenge persists. The main victims are men and young people, key contributors to the workforce, whose loss leaves behind economic burdens on their families.

As the nation awaits the parliament’s decision on Dr. Nchemba’s proposal, the debate continues on the best approach to meet SDG targets by 2030. While some advocate for stricter laws, others highlight the need for better infrastructure and driver education. Whether the proposed legal changes will be enacted remains to be seen. Still, urgent and comprehensive actions are needed to reduce road accidents and their devastating impact on Tanzanian society.