By Alfred Zacharia
Puma Energy Tanzania, in collaboration with Amend Tanzania, has launched the second phase of its road safety campaign, 'Be Road Safe Africa.' This initiative aims to empower children and increase road safety awareness in their communities.
The second phase will extend its efforts to five more primary schools: Kisukuru (Tabata), Kunguru (Goba), Mjimpya (Kurasini), Ufukoni (Kigamboni), and Salasala (Salasala).
The launch event was led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) William Mkonda, who emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents, which cause thousands of deaths each year.
“Road accidents continue to be a major challenge in Tanzania. The ‘Be Road Safe Africa’ campaign complements the government’s ongoing efforts to promote road safety,” said SACP Mkonda.
According to Tanzania Police Force data, in 2024, there were 1,735 road accidents, with 1,198 of them resulting in the deaths of 1,715 people.
Human errors, such as ignoring road signs, reckless driving, and speeding, contributed to 97% of these incidents. SACP Mkonda urged the private sector and road safety stakeholders to work with the government in raising awareness about road safety.
Puma Energy Tanzania’s Operations Manager, Engineer Lameck Hiliyai, highlighted the company’s commitment to the safety and well-being of communities:
“At Puma Energy, safety is central to our operations. Through this program, we are implementing our commitment to health, safety, security, and environmental principles, ensuring that children, who are the most vulnerable road users, are equipped with road safety education,” he said.
The 'Be Road Safe Africa' initiative aims to improve the safety of primary school children by providing educational programs that teach them how to be responsible road users.
SACP Mkonda praised Puma Energy Tanzania for its efforts in promoting road safety education.
“Children attending schools near busy roads are at greater risk. We are grateful for this program and will continue to work with Puma Energy to expand this campaign nationwide. We also encourage other companies to join in promoting road safety, as the success of their businesses depends on the health and well-being of the communities they serve,” he added.
The first phase of the 'Be Road Safe Africa' campaign took place in 2023 and 2024, reaching over 38,000 children in 20 schools across Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The second phase will be rolled out in Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for young people aged 10 to 19 and the third leading cause of disability in this group.
Road traffic injuries are also the third leading cause of death for children aged five to nine.
In addition to causing death and disability, road injuries can have long-lasting effects on children, including psychological stress, disrupted education, and financial strain on families due to high medical costs.
In Tanzania, road traffic fatalities occur at a rate of 31 per 100,000 people, nearly 1.7 times the global average and higher than the African average, according to WHO.
