A bold step towards safer roads: Tanzania's new regulations tackle driver fatigue head-on.
In Dar es Salaam, a city bustling with 24-hour transport operations, a crucial yet often overlooked factor in road safety is about to be addressed. The proposed Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Fatigue Risk Management for Drivers) Regulations, 2025, aims to curb fatigue-related accidents, a growing concern in the public and commercial transport sector.
But here's where it gets controversial: the regulations introduce strict limits on driving hours and mandatory rest periods, a move that could spark debate among drivers and transport operators.
Under the proposed rules, drivers will face clear caps on their daily and weekly driving hours. They cannot drive for more than nine hours within a 24-hour period or exceed 48 driving hours in seven days. Additionally, a five-hour driving limit without a break is enforced, ensuring drivers take regular rests.
The regulations also emphasize the importance of rest, making it compulsory for drivers to take at least 10 hours of rest within every 24 hours. This includes a 30-minute break after every five consecutive hours of driving and a 24-hour consecutive rest period within seven working days. Furthermore, drivers must take mandatory breaks every four hours, lasting between 10 to 20 minutes, to ensure they remain fit to drive.
Mwadawa Sultan, head of legal services at the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra), highlights the significance of these regulations. She explains that while current laws cover licensing and speeding penalties, they fall short in addressing the dangers of driver fatigue, a growing factor in serious road crashes.
"Accidents can occur not just from speeding, but also when a driver is tired, sick, or falls asleep, leading to devastating collisions," Ms. Sultan warns.
The proposed regulations explicitly prohibit drivers and service providers from allowing fatigued drivers to operate vehicles, citing risks to passengers, other road users, and road infrastructure. Service providers are now required to implement a Fatigue Risk Management Plan, detailing how driving hours, rest breaks, and driver exchanges will be managed.
For long journeys exceeding eight driving hours, the regulations mandate the use of co-drivers, especially for intercity buses, with designated driver-change points. Goods-carrying and commuter vehicles must also ensure driver rest or exchange once the eight-hour threshold is reached.
Drivers themselves will be obliged to declare their fitness before each journey, accurately record their working and resting hours, and report fatigue when they are unfit to drive. Failure to comply may result in penalties or suspension of certification.
The regulations empower Latra to suspend or revoke licenses and driver certificates for repeated violations, particularly those posing threats to public safety. Both drivers and service providers may face fines or imprisonment upon conviction for breaching these rules.
The emphasis on education is notable, requiring drivers and service providers to understand the causes and prevention of fatigue, including the risks associated with long working hours, poor sleep, stress, and alcohol use.
Officials believe that these comprehensive regulations will significantly reduce fatigue-related accidents and promote a safer, more disciplined road transport sector.
And this is the part most people miss: while these regulations may seem strict, they are essential for ensuring the safety of all road users. So, what do you think? Are these measures necessary, or do they go too far? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
