By Staff Writer, Zanzibar
Conductors need to be re-educated on the importance of treating their passengers or travellers including school children with respect, and keep their body and cloth clean during working hours
NATIONAL Institute of Transport (NIT) has used the National Week of Roady Safety in Zanzibar to train bus drivers and conductors on road safety, saying re-educating drivers, and conductors on road safety regulations, and good-conducts, remain crucial in efforts to avert road accidents in the country.
This was highlighted by experts from NIT in Zanzibar where they facilitated seminars on ‘Road Safety Regulations’ for public transport drivers and conductors, to mark this year’s ‘road safety week which started on November 12 to 23, this year.
Mr. Godlisten Msumanje, leader, Regional Centre of Excellence for road safety- NIT encouraged the drivers and conductors who attended the seminar at the Rahaleo-Studio Hall, to regularly go for training to become ‘reliable drivers.
“NIT decided to work with the Zanzibar Roads Safety and Transport Authority (ZARSTA) to remind the drivers and conductors about road traffic rules, regulations, and good-conducts because many forget them, while others just ignore or have no idea after obtaining a licence,” Mr. Msumanje explained.
He emphasized public awareness on use of roads should continue for drivers, conductors and other users so that regulations are put into practice.
Eng. Mhoja Luhende Mahoha from NIT said at the seminar that eighty percent of the road accidents are the result of human error, and also mechanical defects play a role, “Therefore it is the duty of drivers to follow the regulations and ensure you drive vehicles that are well maintained.”
He also said that conductors need to be re-educated on the importance of treating their passengers or travellers including school children with respect, and keep their body and cloth clean during working hours.
The facilitators from NIT also urged law enforcers, in the course of executing their duty, to remind both drivers and conductors about observing the traffic regulations to reduce road accidents in Zanzibar.
On his side, the Regional road safety and Transport Officer (RTO) for Unguja Urban-West Region, the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. Hamis Mwakanolo, joined with Mr Bilali Salum Said– National Chairman of the Zanzibar Driving Schools Association to comment NIT for important training for drivers and conductors.
“We still record many avoidable road accidents due to recklessness,” ASP Hamis said as Bilali pointed out that negligence among drivers always leads to accidents.
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