17 - 23 May 2021, Dodoma: The United Nations Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) was commemorated in the week of 17^th -23^rd May, with a global campaign for 30km/h speed limit on streets where people and traffic mix example near schools and other areas with big populations. In Tanzania, the UNGRSW was commemorated in Dodoma, with advocacy and awareness raising activities calling for zoning of streets such that there is a special consideration of low speed on roads and streets close to schools and communities to create green, healthy and livable communities.

WHO collaborated with the Tanzania Police Force, Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA) and Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA), to promote a speed limit of 30km/h near schools and populated areas by conducting awareness sessions at Daraja Mbili and Amani schools in Dodoma city.

Tanzania loses about 2000 people every year due to traffic crashes. Additionally, almost 4,000 people survive with injuries sustained in road crashes. According to WHO reports, road traffic crashes cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product.  The cost from traffic crashes is far reaching and multifaced: economic cost, family, human trauma, both physical and emotional.

Pedestrians are at most risk among the road users in Tanzania. Their deaths account for 26% of all deaths from traffic accidents and 16% of all injuries, according to official statistics.

Members of parliament Road Safety Champions, Hon Fatma Tawfiq and Rashid Shangazi participated in the campaign by speaking to school children about traffic safety and handing over equipment that will facilitate the visited schools enforce 30km/h speed limit on the roads passing nearby. The MPs insisted that younger generations needed traffic safety education from the tender age so that their habit is shaped around safety precautions on the road and promised to move the 30km/h speed limit agenda to the parliament for policy decision.

“Motorcyclists need special attention and specific approach that will bring them to understand and value traffic safety rules,” said Ms. Tawfiq. Protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users is critical for Tanzania to improve safety on its roads.

“ With the  low speed limit  in the street and near our school I will be able to cross the road on my own when I come to school,” said Hamisa Sharif, a pupil at Daraja Mbili primary school.

“The 30km/h speed limit seems too low for motorists that I interviewed. But, if you prod them about their own safety on the road, they also agree that they would like vehicles to move much slower near their homes. I think the community needs more education to understand that speeding in the city, has more harm than good. Said Jasmine Swamwepu a journalist at  MWAngaza FM in Dodoma.