Road traffic accidents in Tanzania: A ten year epidemiological appraisal

Abstract

A descriptive analysis of road traffic accidents data in Tanzania was\ndone using routine police records. The trends, road users injured or\nkilled and conservative factors were recorded. The results showed that\nbetween 1990 and 2000 the number of road traffic accidents rose by 44%\nfrom a total 10,107. At the same time the number of associated injuries\nincreased by more than 44% and that of death by more than 64% during\nthe same period. A total of 56% of the injured were passengers followed\nby pedestrian (25%) while the dead included passengers. Inappropriate\nroad use behaviours by different road users were reported to be the\nmajor cause of accidents with driver's inappropriate behaviour\ncontributing 52%. It is suggested that police data collection be\nstrengthened and also be linked to health data. Such data will then\nprovide information on the type of intervention necessary for various\nstages before and after injury has occurred and will also show the true\nburden of injuries in the country.