Road Safety Crisis: Journalists told to report beyond individual blame
DAR ES SALAAM: Journalists are urged to report on road accidents with a focus on promoting solutions, as deadly road mishaps continue to claim countless innocent lives across the country.
This call was made by Matthew Taylor, a Communication Safety Mobility Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mr. Taylor was speaking during a webinar on WHO-Science Africa Road Safety Reporting Training for African journalists earlier this week. This statement comes in light of two recent road accidents in the Mwanza and Kilimanjaro regions, which claimed 27 lives and left 78 others nursing injuries.
“The notion that road accidents are merely isolated incidents caused by individual recklessness is a dangerous oversimplification. Journalists must shift their focus from blaming victims to addressing the underlying causes of these tragedies,” he said.
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He went on to detail that one common misconception is that road deaths are an inevitable consequence of development. However, many countries with comparable levels of economic growth have achieved significantly lower road fatality rates through effective transportation planning and infrastructure improvements.
“The idea that we must sacrifice lives on the altar of economic progress is unacceptable. It is possible to build a thriving economy while prioritizing the safety of our citizens on the road.”
Mr. Taylor further argued that the current transportation infrastructure is often designed to prioritize vehicles over pedestrians and cyclists. This creates dangerous conditions for vulnerable road users, particularly in areas with inadequate sidewalks, crosswalks, and street lighting.
In a comment, Mr. Augustus Fungo, former chairperson of Road Safety Ambassadors (RSA) of Tanzania, called for improvements in infrastructure, enhanced public transportation, and public education.
“Building safer roads, sidewalks, and bike lanes, educating the public about road safety, and promoting responsible driving behavior will be essential in addressing fatalities,” said Mr. Fungo.
