SEMI ANNUAL REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents a comprehensive overview of the Road Safety Awareness initiative targeting commercial motorcyclists aged 18-35 in Dodoma, Tanzania. The project followed a systematic approach, including a thorough needs assessment and stakeholder consultations. The project team carefully selected 20 key parking areas along significant roads in Morogoro, Iringa, Arusha, Singida, and the central corridors. The initiative successfully expanded its outreach and impact by utilizing various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Zoom. Notably, during the World Remembrance event in 2023, a peaceful demonstration and educational outreach on road safety, specifically tailored for commercial motorcyclists, took place in Dodoma on 19 November 2023. The District Commissioner of Dodoma graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. The demonstration was part of a broader campaign dedicated to raising awareness about road safety and supporting healthcare services for commercial motorcycle operators. Critical issues such as speeding, fatigue, distractions, alcohol use, and helmet usage were the focal points of the project. The project teams established collaboration with private entities, including local radio stations (P FM, Mwangaza FM, Online A FM TV), NGOs (Tanzania Road Safety Ambassador), and public stakeholders (Traffic Police, Fire and Rescue). The collaborative effort was pivotal in advancing commercial motorcycle safety in Dodoma. The project's next phase involves engaging students to establish safety clubs and perpetuating targeted awareness activities. The project's success hinges on the collective commitment of both private and public entities to consistently enhance road safety within the commercial motorcycle sector in Dodoma, Tanzania.

1.0 Background

The global use of commercial motorcycles for transportation has surpassed 770 million, particularly popular in China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Africa. In Tanzania, motorcycles constitute 59% of the total vehicle fleet, rising to 90% in rural areas, mainly used as taxis (boda bodas). Despite their popularity, safety issues contribute to high rates of accidents, with over 1 million registered bodabodas. Globally, motorcyclist accidents account for 28% of road fatalities, prompting urgent safety interventions. Risky behaviours like riding under the influence, poor maintenance, and inadequate training contribute to accidents. Many interventions have been implemented to reduce road accidents for road users. The Tanzanian government addresses road safety issues by constructing safer road infrastructure, vehicles, and public institutions such as latra, traffic police, and rescue services. This includes registering motorcyclists, enforcing traffic laws, and conducting training. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like to amend, and road safety ambassadors support these efforts.

Road safety education is crucial, as highlighted in a Dodoma study involving 378 male motorcyclists, revealing varying levels of knowledge, attitude, and compliance with safety measures. Tanzania conducts awareness campaigns through media channels like the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation(TBCs), emphasizing responsible road behaviour and citizenship. To effectively address safety needs and prioritize interventions, comprehensive studies are necessary, mainly focusing on the perceptions of commercial motorcyclists. The Bodaboda Salama initiative aligns with government efforts, covering 20 parking areas along major roads in various regions to monitor and reduce road accidents.

2.0 Planned activities: Project overview

The initial phase of our road safety enhancement initiative comprised individual consultation meetings held in 20 strategically chosen parking areas along major arterial roads in Morogoro, Iringa, Arusha, Singida, and the central corridor. Taking place between May 25 and May 31, 2023, these discussions actively engaged the community in addressing road safety concerns specifically for commercial motorcyclists in Dodoma City, Tanzania. Following these consultations, our focus shifted towards comprehensive data collection. Employing a precisely designed survey questionnaire, tested with over 20 participants as pilots, we successfully gathered insights from 250 complete surveys.

Building on this, a follow-up focus group meeting in June 2023, chaired by the Director of Transport, Environment, and Safety, from Ministry of Transport, convened key stakeholders including LATRA, the Regional Hospital of Dodoma Hospital (Emergency Care Unit), commercial motorcyclists, the Municipality of Dodoma, and the project team. The central agenda of this meeting was to analyses the gathered data and discuss effective interventions aimed at reducing road accidents involving commercial motorcyclists. Communication played a pivotal role throughout the initiative, utilizing social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter for effective outreach. In addition to online channels, road safety awareness campaigns were extended to radio channels, including P FM, Uzima Radio, A FM, and Mwangaza FM. Notably, the remembrance day for commercial motorcyclists took place on November 19, 2023, featuring demonstrations and road safety education at Nyerere Square. These initiatives collectively contribute to our ongoing efforts to enhance road safety in Dodoma City.

2.1 The Recruitment and Orientation of Human Resources

In the Bodaboda Salama initiative project, substantial efforts were dedicated to recruiting and orienting human resources. This encompassed forming three project teams conducting consultations in 20 parking areas. Additionally, a team of six data collectors was hired for a ten-day data collection period involving 250 participants. Fifteen individuals were also recruited for focused group discussions within a single day. Three volunteers were enlisted to create and disseminate essential information through social media channels such as WhatsApp, facebook and Twitter.
In a concerted campaign for road safety awareness, voluntary contributions from traffic police trainers and Fire and Rescue trainees played a vital role. They raised public awareness through radio platforms like Pfm, Mwangaza FM, and Uzam FM. The central theme of this campaign was to emphasize key road safety measures for commercial motorcyclists, focusing on the importance of helmet usage, reflectors, and adherence to road safety regulations.

Field Surveyor (Eng. Marwa C. Magoti) at commercial rider parking area, HUDEFO team member (Mr. Tedson ) discussing on focus group with well-structured questions in meeting held at TEMESA Hall – Dodoma City

2.2 ; RESULT AND DISCUSION OF NEED ASSEMMENT

The demographic profile revealed that a significant portion of respondents were aged 25-34 (52.4%), with 91.1% engaged in commercial motorcycle riding. Education-wise, 54.4% completed primary school, 39.1% completed secondary school, and 6.4% attained higher education. Riding experience varied, with 56.9% having 1-5 years of experience. Income disparities were evident,with 27.9% earning less than 50,000 Tanzanian shillings monthly. Despite this, 50.8% owned helmets.
The social assessment highlighted that young riders in the Bodaboda profession faced higher risks of traffic crashes, with income levels and education influencing the severity of outcomes. Additionally, those with less than six months of riding experience faced elevated risks of serious injuries and disabilities. This result highlighted the insight on developing intervention through focus group with additional valued information before conducted an interventions.

The focus group members deliberated on the analysed and planned interventions for commercial motorcyclists at TEMESA Hall in Dodoma.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our mentor, Tanya Fosdick, Research Director at Agilysis Limited and affiliated with The University of Hull in Grundisburgh, England. Tanya's expertise significantly influenced our mentorship journey, enhancing the depth and quality of our collaborative work. Under Tanya's guidance, our project team conducted a thorough analysis of motorcycle-involved crashes across age groups and engine sizes. Additionally, we reviewed locally implemented interventions from previous works, and data collected from bodaboda project with revealing a crucial gap in strategies addressing the specific needs of young motorcyclists in Dodoma, Tanzania. The project team, benefiting from Tanya's insights, gathered key information that highlighted these disparities. This collaborative effort has not only identified critical issues but has also paved the way for a more targeted and effective approach to enhance motorcycle safety in the region.

Example one of online meeting of mentorship sections

4.0 RAISE AWARENESS COMPAIGN OF ROAD SAFETY

4.1 Peaceful Commemorative March for Road Accident Victims

A peaceful march, arranged by project team with cooperation of the Ministry of Transportation, the Police Force, the Fire Department, LATRA, RSA (Road Safety Ambassador), and HUDEFO (Human Dignity and Environmental Care Foundation), unfolded in Dodoma City, stretching from Chinangali Park to Nyerere Square. The march engaged pedestrians, motorcycle riders (Bodaboda), and the general public, under the guidance of Dodoma District Commissioner, Honourable JABIR SHEKIMWERI, on Sunday, November 19, 2023. The primary aim was to enlighten and inspire the community about the critical importance of road safety. The diverse participation of road safety stakeholders showcased a collective effort to curb road accidents and foster public awareness. These stakeholders encompassed public institutions (Chuo cha Mipango, Chuo za Hombolo, Higra Secondary School, and students from CBE College), associations of commercial motorcycle riders, political leaders, media outlets, and civil society organizations.

On November 19, 2023, more than 100 participant were engaged in this event together with the District Commissioner of Dodoma organized a road safety awareness campaign at Nyerere Square for the local community include Motorcyclists

4.2 Community Education and Advocacy on Road Safety

Following the march, an impactful public meeting on road safety transpired at Nyerere Square on Sunday, November 19, 2023. The event brought together community members from all walks of life to unite with road safety advocates in enhancing awareness of the perils of road accidents and the requisite preventive measures more than 100 participants were engaged. The meeting, spearheaded by knowledgeable speakers in the field of road safety, including representatives from the Ministry of Transportation, the Police Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, and road safety advocates (Road Safety Ambassador and Human Dignity and Environmental Care Foundation - HUDEFO), unfolded under the official presence of Honourable JABIR SHEKIMWERI. Dr. Gasper N Kisanga inaugurated the session by articulating a comprehensive report on diverse aspects of road safety.

The gathering also provided a platform for participants from various sectors to impart advice, share opinions, and underscore the crucial importance of road safety education. Engineer Marwa Chacha, representing the Ministry of Transport and project team, urged the audience to remember the victims of road accidents and adhere to traffic regulations while navigating the roads. District Commissioner Honourable JABIR SHEKIMWERI supported the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Transportation, the Police Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, and various stakeholders. He encouraged sustained efforts to educate the public on road safety and called upon all citizens to respect traffic laws, thereby mitigating the economic, health, and social repercussions of road accidents on the community. This public meeting marks the inception of an enduring campaign aimed at promoting road safety and instigating positive changes in transportation behaviours within the community.

On November 19, 2023, the District Commissioner of Dodoma organized a road safety awareness campaign at Nyerere Square for the local community include Motorcyclists

4.3 Distribution of Facilities at Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital

In a compassionate initiative for the victims of road accidents, the Ministry of Transportation, the Police Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, and diverse stakeholders collaborated to visit victims at Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital. The victims were provided with essential items to facilitate their hospital stay. A total of 51 victims received items such as soap , toothpaste, and financial assistance. The hospital administration expressed gratitude for the gesture and recommended that such events be conducted on a larger scale in the future to reach a broader spectrum of beneficiaries, recognizing the substantial number of accident victims in need of assistance.

The hospital administrator received facilities for road accident victims at Region referral hospital in Dodoma

4.4 Radio visits and outreach

The implementation of road safety education through radio visits and outreach was effectively carried out by expert trainers from Traffic Police and the central organizers of Road Safety Ambassadors. A targeted audience, specifically commercial motorcycle riders, benefited from comprehensive training sessions emphasizing the importance of wearing helmets, utilizing reflectors, and following traffic rules.

This initiative not only heightened awareness but also contributed to enhancing the safety practices of commercial motorcycle riders. The expertise brought by the trainers, coupled with the organized approach of the Road Safety Ambassadors, ensured that key aspects of road safety, such as protective gear and adherence to traffic regulations, were effectively communicated to the riders.

The training program for road safety among commercial motorcyclists was conducted through Uzima Radio and Mwangaza Radio in 17 November,2023 More than 150 reached by radios