Joseph Isangura
Three people lost their lives on Saturday morning after the Toyota RAV4 they were traveling in collided head-on with a passenger bus in the Mdawi area of Moshi District.
The accident, which occurred on February 1, 2025, has once again raised concerns over reckless driving on the country’s highways.
According to Acting Regional Fire and Rescue Commander for Kilimanjaro, Jeremiah Mkomagi, the crash happened when the driver of the smaller vehicle attempted to overtake other cars without taking the necessary precautions. This miscalculation put the RAV4 directly in the path of an oncoming passenger bus, leading to the fatal impact.
“All three occupants of the Toyota RAV4 died at the scene,” Mkomagi confirmed. “Fortunately, no passengers on the bus were injured.”
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Kilimanjaro Regional Referral Hospital, Mawenzi, as authorities work to notify their families. Meanwhile, traffic officers have launched an investigation into the accident, though early findings point to reckless overtaking as the primary cause.
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This latest tragedy adds to a worrying trend of fatal accidents in Kilimanjaro Region. In December 2024, nine people died in a similar head-on collision in Rombo District, with authorities citing reckless driving as a key factor in that incident as well.
The increasing number of road accidents has sparked calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws. President Samia has urged law enforcement agencies to step up road safety measures, including increased vehicle inspections and harsher penalties for reckless drivers.
With roads getting busier, officials are reminding drivers to exercise caution, especially when overtaking. “We need all road users to follow traffic regulations,” Mkomagi said. “Many of these accidents are preventable.”
