Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) is launching urgent repairs on roads damaged by heavy rainfall, says CEO Mohamed Besta.Photo:Courtesy
The hidden toll of road crashes pushes urgent call for immediate action in Tanzania
By James Kamala
The devastating impact of road crashes extends far beyond the immediate victims, affecting countless family members, friends, and healthcare workers in profound and often unseen ways. Each fatal accident creates a ripple effect that reverberates through communities, leaving behind a trail of grief, loss, and economic hardship. With road carnage on the rise, we must shift our focus toward understanding the broader implications of these tragedies.
Statistics reveal a harrowing reality: every day, lives are shattered due to reckless driving, inadequate infrastructure, and poorly maintained vehicles. The emotional toll is immense, as families are left to grapple with the void left by their loved ones.
Healthcare workers, who bear witness to the aftermath of these incidents, often experience their form of trauma as they rush to save lives, only to confront the harsh reality that many will not survive.
This pressing crisis calls for journalists to embrace solution-driven reporting, illuminating the systemic issues contributing to road accidents while advocating for effective measures to improve safety. By addressing these root causes, we can foster a collective understanding of the urgent need for change, ensuring that the voices of those affected are heard and that meaningful action is taken to curb this ongoing epidemic.
“When someone dies in a crash, an average of 11 family members, 4 close friends, 56 acquaintances, and 42 emergency workers are all permanently affected,” says Mr. Matthew Taylor, a Communications and Mobility Safety Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO).
Taylor shared this insight during a recent WHO-Science Africa Road Safety Reporting webinar for African journalists, coinciding with two tragic accidents in Tanzania’s Mwanza and Kilimanjaro regions that claimed 27 lives in just one day.
Quantifying the impact of these 27 deaths based on Taylor’s estimates reveals disturbing statistics: approximately 1,944 family members, 756 close friends, 1,512 acquaintances, and 1,134 emergency workers are affected by these losses. This calculation starkly highlights the ripple effects that every road fatality has on families, friends, and communities.
The message is clear: society must address this problem to mitigate the toll on economic and social progress in Tanzania and beyond. Road accidents are not merely statistics; they are tragedies that disrupt entire communities. Just recently, a series of crashes in Dar es Salaam claimed several lives, with victims ranging from pedestrians to passengers in dilapidated vehicles. These incidents reflect a worrying trend of poor road conditions and unsafe vehicles contributing to the rising death toll.
Finance Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba provided sobering statistics on road safety, noting that between 2019 and May 2024, a total of 7,639 people died in 10,093 road crashes in Tanzania, with an additional 12,663 sustaining injuries—many of whom now live with permanent disabilities. This suggests that an estimated 84,029 people have been indirectly affected by these tragedies, underscoring the devastating reach of road accidents.
Each life loss impacts a wide range of people, from immediate family members like parents, children, siblings, and partners to extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Emergency responders and healthcare professionals who witness the aftermath of these accidents also feel the far-reaching effects. This broader circle of influence demonstrates the deep and lasting effects of road accidents on individuals and communities.
Beyond the emotional toll, road fatalities impose a significant economic burden, affecting both immediate and long-term financial stability for families, communities, and the nation. Men between the ages of 5 and 29—often working-age adults—are disproportionately affected, leading to a reduction in skilled labor and productivity that hampers industries and economic growth.
Families losing primary income earners face financial hardship, which can result in poverty and increased dependence on social welfare. Survivors of crashes may incur lifelong medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and diminished earning capacity, further perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
The government also bears substantial costs for emergency responses and medical care for survivors, reducing funds available for other essential services. Road fatalities have a ripple effect on the economy, increasing healthcare expenses, loss of income, reduced productivity, and higher insurance premiums. Globally, road accidents are estimated to cost nations between 2-3% of their GDP, underscoring the magnitude of the problem.
Matthew Taylor’s call for solution-focused reporting on road accidents emphasizes the need for journalists to shift public perception toward a more systemic understanding of road safety. Instead of viewing accidents as isolated events caused by individual recklessness, journalists should highlight them as consequences of broader systemic issues, with significant social, economic, and infrastructural impacts.
In Tanzania, poorly maintained roads and the prevalence of “jalopies”—old, unsafe vehicles—are major contributors to the crisis. The means of obtaining driving licenses also deserve scrutiny, as lax regulations and corruption can lead to unqualified drivers on the roads. Reports of drivers using vehicles with inadequate safety features or operating under the influence exacerbate the dangers faced by all road users.
The article also suggests several key areas for improvement, such as better road conditions, pedestrian crossings, and adequate lighting. Journalists can play an instrumental role by raising awareness of these deficiencies and pressuring policymakers to prioritize road safety measures.
Advocating for stricter penalties, seatbelt and helmet mandates, and effective enforcement mechanisms can contribute to reducing fatalities. While these measures have been discussed in Tanzania, comprehensive legislation that addresses all contributing factors remains to be implemented.
Behold, journalists have a crucial role in shaping public understanding and driving change in road safety. By focusing on systemic issues underlying road accidents, they can create an environment that encourages proactive solutions and discourages complacency. This shift in reporting can significantly reduce the socioeconomic burdens of road accidents, supporting sustainable development and fostering a safer public environment for all.
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