This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
On August 6, 2019, Tanzania's authorities took a step to improve road safety by banning the use of strobe lights and sirens on public and private vehicles, as reported by local media.
Many tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis, which are popular modes of transportation in the country, use these lights and sirens to attract customers. However, this practice has been causing confusion among the public, with some people mistaking the tuk-tuks for official convoys.
According to Dar es Salaam's police chief, Lazaro Mambosasa, "The tuk-tuks are confusing people on the streets with the strobe lights. You may think it’s the convoy of a head of state arriving in town, only to realise it’s the tuk-tuk drivers."
As a result of this ban, those who defy the directive risk being arrested. However, ambulances, police vehicles, and other approved public vehicles are exempt from the order.
