Motorcycle Accidents Claim Hundreds of Lives in Tanzania, Despite Call for Action

Motorcycle accidents in Tanzania continue to take a devastating toll, with the latest statistics revealing that the country's roads have claimed the lives of hundreds and injured thousands in 2024 alone. The newly released Crime and Traffic Incidents Statistics Report, January-December 2024 by the Tanzania Police Force, shows that motorcycles were involved in 2,799 accidents in 2024, resulting in 722 fatalities, or nearly 47.2 percent of all road deaths. In comparison, vehicles such as private cars and lorries combined were responsible for 451 deaths, while pedestrians struck by vehicles accounted for 222 fatalities.

Key Takeaways:

• Motorcycle accidents in Tanzania claimed the lives of 722 people in 2024, representing nearly 47.2 percent of all road deaths, with a total of 2,736 people sustaining injuries in motorcycle-related crashes.
• In 2023, motorcycles were involved in 2,374 accidents, resulting in 679 deaths and 2,486 injuries, with motorcycle-related fatalities accounting for approximately 45.9 percent of the total 1,479 road accident deaths recorded that year.
• Traffic Police Commander William Mkonda acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, stating that traffic police officers have been working diligently to ensure road users comply with safety regulations, and are taking firm action against riders found without valid licences or safety gear.
• Experts attribute the rise in motorcycle accidents to the casual and unregulated way in which many riders enter the transport business, with a senior instructor at the National Institute of Transport, Mr. Athumani Shayo, stating that a worrying number of riders begin operating bodaboda within just days of learning how to ride.
• Regular licence checks targeting bodaboda operators, and community-based training to improve safety knowledge and reinforce a culture of responsibility and accountability among riders, have been recommended to address this issue.

Statistics:

• 2,799 motorcycle accidents recorded in 2024, with 722 fatalities and 2,736 injuries.
• Motorcycles accounted for 47.2 percent of all road deaths in 2024, with a total of 1,530 road accident deaths recorded nationwide.
• 2,374 motorcycle accidents recorded in 2023, with 679 deaths and 2,486 injuries.
• Motorcycle-related fatalities accounted for approximately 45.9 percent of the total 1,479 road accident deaths recorded in 2023.

Sources:

• "Crime and Traffic Incidents Statistics Report, January-December 2024" by the Tanzania Police Force
• The Citizen
• Vocational Education and Training Authority (Veta), Dar es Salaam