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Growing concern over speedy VIPs` motorcades
2007-10-06 08:39:30
By Rose Mwalongo
No one can dispute the fact that the speed at which our leader`s motorcades move on public roads is more than dangerous.
In all senses this ought to be looked at as it poses a great risk not only to those inside the vehicles but also to other road users.
At times one imagines what would happen if someone is caught up crossing the road. Will the 'flying' motor vehicles manage to stop?
It is obvious that this will never be possible. No wonder such motorcades have always been involved in accidents that have left even the leaders themselves seriously injured besides killing other pedestrians and motorists.
For instance, in the past two months there have been four road accidents recorded involving VIPs in the country.
The first one involved a minister on the Island of Zanzibar, Brigadier Adam Mwakanjuki, who narrowly escaped death when his motorcades was involved in a an accident.
Then followed that which involved the Mchinga legislator, Mudhihir Mudhihir, whose car overturned several times while touring his constituency.
The fatal accident resulted into the loss of his one of his hands as a result.
Before everybody could recover from the shock of this rather sad news another minister got involved in yet another fatal accident.
This time the victim of the surge was Professor Juma Kapuya.
More shocking is the fact hardly four days had elapsed before receiving the news of another accident which involved the Prime Minister`s motorcade.
As much as I would want to believe in coincident and bad omen I think it is also wise to impose regulations as to the conduct of VIP motor vehicles on our roads.
Stiffer penalties should also be instituted on ordinary motorists who drive speedy luxurious vehicles such as the famous Land cruisers .
It would appear as though some motorists driving such vehicles are so much overwhelmed by the luxrious state of the latter forgetting the fact that they are also prone to accidents.
Media reports have it that the two accidents involving Mchinga legislator and Kapuya were due to tyre bursts.
It is difficult to believe that a single tyre burst would mean the car overturning, nor do I believe that it always have to involve people sustaining injuries and even dying on the line.
Certainly if that was the case, then there would be a lot of deaths due to most cars getting bursts now and then.
The bottom line still remains the same, VIP cars move at a dangerously high speed, so much such that they pose a threat to both pedestrians and motorists alike.
Cars are machines and from my understanding mechanical failure are inevitable.
It is not possible to predict when for example a brake failures can occur or when a burst would happen.
All in all it is better to take precautionary measures.
It may surprise you to know that a brand new car can as well develop mechanical failure.
Yes, it may be assembled today in the best factory in the world yet, it is prone to mechanical failure.
This is a fact that drivers of VIPs should always keep in mind.
Just because the wheels they drive are expensive and luxurious doesn`t mean that they can not run into accidents.
Accidents are inevitable to all cars and so is mechanical failure.
Should we be made to believe that VIP motorcades need speed governors like upcountry buses?
But should the trend go on, why not try to do so in the best interest of protecting the welfare of our leaders?
We need healthy leaders who are capable of performing national duties in a rather `uninterrupted manner`.
With numerous accidents we see around that doesn’t look good does it?
It is therefore appropriate that the long arm of the law consider the option of installing governors in VIP motor vehicles.
As mentioned earlier on it is difficult to tell when the car is likely to get mechanical failure.
rosemwalongo@yahoo.com
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