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Arrest this carnage
2007-06-17 09:44:12
By Editor
There is an upward spiral in the number of motor accidents in the county that leave a bitter taste in month.
In the last two months or so, the media has been reporting road accidents that are a cause of grave concerns.
Only the day before yesterday, about 20 people had their lives cut short, ``thanks`` to a gristly road accident in Singida, where a bus traveling from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza caught fire. According to eyewitness, some of the passengers were reduced to ashes.
About a month ago, another bus accident in Arusha claimed about 25 lives in Moshi on the spot after it was involved in a head-on collision with an oil tanker.
These are but two incidents that got prominent coverage in the print and electronic media. However, in reality, hardly does a week pass without an incidence of road carnage.
For how long is this carnage going to last?
As we sympathize with families that have lost loved ones in the macabre incidents, we believe there is a need to address decisively the catalysts of the surge in the fatal road accidents.
Careless and drunken driving, lack of vehicle quality control as well as use of mobile phones while driving, are some of the catalysts, that authorities address without delay.
Also the country needs to rethink its National Road Safety Policy. The speed governors have failed to reduce the carnage. Former Minister for Infrastructure Development, Basil Mramba, is on record conceding.
While the government seeks a permanent solution to the carnage, there is need for the police to take tough measures against careless drivers.
Regular checks on the quality of public service vehicles will also go along way to arrest the situation.
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