Joseph Isangura
Authorities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, have launched an initiative to monitor and fine reckless drivers using 60 mobile surveillance cameras.
The cameras, which are already being deployed in Kinondoni and Ubungo districts, are targeting areas notorious for traffic violations—primarily Bagamoyo Road and Mwai Kibaki Road.
The effort is being led by Kinondoni District Commissioner Saad Mtambule and his counterpart in Ubungo, Albert Msando, who say the biggest contributors to daily gridlock are drivers using mobile phones while driving and overtaking unlawfully—actions that endanger lives and waste time.
“It’s not the roads that are failing us—it’s us, the people,” Mtambule told reporters. “We have drivers who stop in traffic to answer phone calls or recklessly create their own lanes. These behaviors must stop.”
The new cameras are high-definition and mobile, capable of recording footage and identifying license plates in real time. Traffic officers will use the evidence to issue fines and track repeat offenders. The project is designed to support the enforcement of Tanzania’s Road Traffic Act and other public safety regulations.
Ubungo’s Commissioner Msando added, “A single driver stopping to answer a call at a junction might seem harmless—but it creates a domino effect that blocks hundreds. With these cameras, we’re holding people accountable for every second they steal from others on the road.”
The move mirrors similar interventions in other major African cities like Nairobi and Accra, where authorities have introduced intelligent traffic monitoring systems to reduce road chaos.
Residents React to the Changes
The new enforcement strategy has been welcomed by many Dar residents who are exhausted by endless delays and reckless driving. Hamisi Mwita, a local boda boda (motorcycle taxi) rider, said the cameras are long overdue.
“We waste hours on the road because some drivers act like they own the city. Let the cameras catch them—it’s about time,” Mwita said.
Shop owners along Mwai Kibaki Road also say traffic is starting to flow more smoothly, even during peak hours. One trader, who requested anonymity, noted, “You can feel the difference. Maybe it’s fear, maybe it’s awareness—but either way, people are more disciplined now.”
Cameras, Education, and the Bigger Picture
Beyond enforcement, Mtambule and Msando confirmed that road safety education will be rolled out as part of the wider campaign. This includes the use of radio announcements, billboards, and social media messages to teach drivers the importance of following traffic rules and avoiding distractions like mobile phone use.
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Their efforts align with global road safety frameworks, including those promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO identifies distracted driving—including phone use—as one of the leading causes of road traffic accidents worldwide.
In Tanzania, road crashes continue to cause significant loss of life and productivity. According to the National Road Safety Council, many accidents could be prevented through stricter law enforcement and public awareness.
Looking Ahead
Officials say this is just phase one. Depending on the impact, more cameras may be installed across Dar es Salaam and beyond. A team of experts is expected to monitor and evaluate the program’s effectiveness by tracking congestion levels, violation rates, and accident statistics over time.
As Dar es Salaam’s population continues to grow—estimated at more than 6 million people—urban mobility remains a key challenge. Poor road behavior not only stalls traffic but also affects trade, emergency response, and general public well-being.
“This isn’t about punishment,” said Mtambule. “It’s about changing how we think about the roads. They belong to all of us, and we all have to share them responsibly.”
With cameras now watching and awareness campaigns coming soon, authorities hope to build a new culture of road discipline—where rules are respected not out of fear, but out of shared responsibility.
