The government Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA), has successfully improved the conduct of long-distance bus drivers in Tanzania, significantly reducing road accidents.
This was highlighted by LATRA’s Director General, Habib Suluo, during a visit to the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) center in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, on December 14, 2024.
The visit was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Arts, Culture, and Sports, and the Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa.
Suluo stated that Tanzania is now safer, with bus owners fully embracing the system and cooperating with the authorities, leading to a significant decline in accidents.
For his part, Msigwa urged transport operators, particularly those running intercity buses, to adhere to transportation laws and regulations to avoid accidents during the upcoming holiday season.
He also called on operators to refrain from hiking fares during this peak travel period.
Msigwa noted that ticketing systems are being enhanced to curb arbitrary fare increases by unscrupulous operators.
He expressed satisfaction with the operations at the VTS center, which monitors vehicle behavior on the roads.
The VTS center, located in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, is managed by LATRA and represents a significant government investment aimed at improving transportation safety.
Suluo emphasized the importance of compliance with regulations by drivers, vehicle owners, and all Tanzanians.
“This system is not meant to punish, but to ensure the safety of every Tanzanian traveler. Lives are precious, and even the property of bus owners is important,” he said.
He also stressed the use of the "I Button," a special device required for drivers. Drivers without it will face legal consequences.
The "I Button" is a personalized device linked to the driver’s LATRA registration and license number. Before starting a journey, the driver places their finger on the device for identification. This data is captured by the VTS, ensuring LATRA knows which driver is operating the bus at any given time.
According to LATRA regulations, a driver is permitted to work only eight hours per day. If the limit is exceeded, the system sends alerts, and action is taken.
The measure prevents ambiguity about which driver was responsible in the event of an accident.