(Unguja) – To combat the growing crisis of road accidents, Zanzibar has announced its first-ever Road Safety Week. The event, beginning November 16, 2024, aims to promote road safety awareness and educate the public about responsible road use.
Speaking on November 14, 2024, the Minister for Construction, Communication, and Transport, Dr. Khalid Salum Mohamed, highlighted the urgency of addressing road safety. Despite ongoing efforts, road accidents remain a major concern, taking a heavy toll on lives.
Statistics from the Office of the Chief Government Statistician (OCGS) reveal a troubling increase in road fatalities. In 2023, 385 people lost their lives in 193 reported accidents, a 19.2% rise from 2022’s 323 fatalities. Of those who died, 343 were men and 42 were women. Injuries also rose by 12.5%, from 136 in 2022 to 153 in 2023. Zanzibar, with a population of 1.8 million, faces mounting pressure to tackle this issue.
Further analysis shows that 151 victims were passengers, 130 were cyclists or motorcyclists, and 78 were pedestrians. Drivers accounted for 26 victims. Additionally, 38,598 traffic violations were reported, with most offenders being men (38,522 cases). The most common infraction was failure to adhere to road safety regulations, accounting for 12,419 violations.
Dr. Khalid emphasized the importance of public education in reducing accidents. “This inaugural event aims to educate people on proper road use and raise awareness about the dangers of road accidents that continue to afflict Zanzibar,” he said.
The week-long event, themed “Implementing Zanzibar’s Road Safety Strategy 2024–2030: A Solution to Road Accidents,” will feature a range of activities. These include workshops, environmental clean-up campaigns, road safety education sessions, and voluntary blood donation drives. Additionally, exhibitions at Kisonge Mnarani grounds will showcase contributions from government and private institutions.
Omar Said, a road safety advocate, noted the critical need for more education. “There is still significant negligence among drivers, such as ignoring road signs and disregarding pedestrians’ safety,” he said.
The initiative aligns with the African Road Safety Charter, which requires member states to establish safety councils to oversee national road safety efforts. Zanzibar’s approach is informed by the Road Transport Act No. 10 of 2019 and its subsequent amendments, reflecting a commitment to reducing road accidents through structured and sustained efforts.
Road Safety in Zanzibar: Key Statistics
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatalities (Total) | 323 | 385 | +19.2% |
| Male Fatalities | 290 | 343 | +18.3% |
| Female Fatalities | 33 | 42 | +27.3% |
| Injuries (Total) | 136 | 153 | +12.5% |
| Common Violation | Failure to follow safety guidelines (12,419 cases) |