POLICE in Kagera Region has pledged to take strict legal action against bus owners operating within and outside the region to curb reckless driving practices.

Kagera Regional Police Commander, Blasius Chatanda,  told journalists here yesterday that specific measures aimed at reducing accidents in the region.

He emphasized that vehicle owners are responsible for ensuring their buses have drivers who follow traffic laws and regulations, and that long-distance buses must have at least two drivers to share the workload.

“We’ve stressed the need for two drivers for long journeys, such as buses traveling from Bukoba to Dar es Salaam. However, some operators still rely on old habits, reducing road safety,” Chatanda said.

He revealed that some bus owners deceive authorities by presenting two drivers during vehicle inspections, but midway through the journey, only one driver continues, putting passengers at risk.

“It is unacceptable for one driver to handle an entire journey without relief. Fatigue leads to a lack of focus, which bus owners must address,” he added.

Chatanda further noted that having two drivers ensures one can step in if the other is unfit or fatigued, reducing the likelihood of accidents caused by negligence.

“This December alone, we’ve recorded accidents in various parts of our region, including Karagwe, where a crash claimed seven lives and injured 13 people, and Biharamulo, where 11 people died, and 16 were injured,” said Chatanda.

He highlighted incidents where drivers disembark mid-journey, leaving their counterparts to complete the trips. Additionally, some drivers were found to engage in behaviors such as drinking, reckless driving, and tampering with speed control systems to avoid detection.

As part of December’s road operations, nine drivers were arrested, and their licenses were revoked.

“Now, the focus will shift to vehicle owners. They are legally obliged to ensure proper conduct and compliance with traffic rules. If violations occur, we will hold them accountable,” Chatanda warned.

According to a police report for January to December 2024, 97 per cent of accidents in the country were caused by human error. During this period, 1,735 accidents were recorded, resulting in 1,195 fatalities and 2,719 injuries.