THE Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has reported a big big number of accidents involved rental vehicles compared to regular buses during December festive season.

According to Salum Pazzy, LATRA’s head of public relations and communications, out of six accidents recorded during the month, five involved small buses, such as Coasters and rental vehicles, while only one involved a  passenger bus.

“Our analysis revealed that most accidents involved rental vehicles, largely due to safety violations,” Pazzy said in a statement yesterday.

He noted that overall transportation during the holiday season was smooth, with passengers reaching their destinations without major challenges.

He attributed the success to contributions from the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), particularly its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and other train services, which eased transportation demand.

However, the two days before Christmas saw a surge in passenger numbers, leading LATRA to issue temporary permits for special hire vehicles to address the increased demand. “No passengers were left stranded, but the temporary arrangements highlighted the need for stricter oversight of rental vehicles,” Pazzy said.

LATRA’s assessment uncovered several issues with rental vehicles, including violations of operational rules and tampering with safety systems. “Some rental vehicles were illegally operating as regular buses, picking up passengers along the way instead of adhering to their hire-only terms,” Pazzy said.

In addition, many of the vehicles lacked mandatory safety systems, such as the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) and driver monitoring devices like the i-Button. LATRA found instances of tampering with the  systems, compromising passenger safety.

Pazzy said to address these concerns, LATRA has launched a campaign to improve compliance with safety standards. The initiative involves mandatory installation of VTS and i-Button devices on all passenger vehicles.

LATRA has also initiated special operations, with officers and traffic police conducting roadside inspections to identify and penalize non-compliant vehicles.

“We take immediate action against violators, including imposing fines and ensuring that safety measures are in place,” Pazzy emphasised.

The authority has reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and maintaining high standards in the transport sector. "We aim to prevent accidents and ensure a safe environment for all road users through strict enforcement and stakeholder collaboration," Pazzy said.

The authority further urged transport operators to comply with regulations and avoid shortcuts that put passengers’ lives at risk.