Govt sticks to its guns regarding three-lane system
 
2008-04-23 09:27:58
By Guardian Reporter, Dodoma

The government yesterday clarified that the three-lane system being used in some regions in the country does not breach traffic regulations because public education was given to users when the system was introduced.

Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister`s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) Celina Kombani told the House here yesterday when responding to a supplementary question by Ponsiano Nyami (Nkasi, CCM), who had the view that the system was a breach of traffic rules and regulations.

Kombani explained that in finding a solution to a particular problem various measures can be implemented, especially short-term solutions, while looking for a long-term solution.

``We could not wait for a long-term solution while we had an option of using the three-lane system to minimise the problem, especially in Dar es Salaam,`` Kombani said.

She however added that when the system started to be applied public education was given in order to avoid accidents.

``Currently the number of accidents has dropped because people are now aware of the use of this system,`` she added.

In the principal question Ziwani legislator Ali Salimi (CUF) had wanted to know how far the government had gone in the implementation of its strategy to minimise the problem of congestion in Dar es Salaam.

\"The strategy involves the use of three-lane traffic during peak hours and improvement of ring roads so that the system could be applied to more roads.

She said traffic lights were also being repaired and the government had also restricted big trucks from entering the city centre during peak hours.

Kombani said the government was working on a long-lasting solution which included the Dar Rapid Transit (DART) project.

She said the project needed special infrastructure which would cater for all road users.

• SOURCE: Guardian