Before using the Vesper motorcycle, an Indian model, Jackson had to undergo a driving course at a recognized school where wearing of helmet is emphasized. He was granted a driving license.
Zanzibar has very strict rules on motorcycle riders found not wearing helmets, he says, unlike in the Mainland where motorcycle riders popularly known as bodaboda freely crisscross the streets without their helmets on.
Motorcycle transport is a reliable means of transport in both urban and rural areas in the country, after deliberate moves were undertaken by the government to create more employment and improve transportation.
Helmet usage in Zanzibar is very high as an awareness drive among riders and passengers has well been received as the only way of limiting the damage if there was an accident.
According to Jackson, various awareness campaigns have been conducted in the Islesfor proper helmet use by riders, with the participation of the police. Thus all passengers and riders wear helmets.
Jackson describes the bodaboda business in Zanzibar as a non-starter owing to the high ownership rate of Vesper model of motorcycle for family and private use.
Traffic police reports in Zanzibar show that about 18 motorbike accidents were recorded causing deaths of seven people in the past year.
Haji Makame, a trader owning a motorcycle, notes that regular road patrols conducted by the Police Traffic Unit have to a considerable extent discouraged irresponsible and careless drivers not wearing helmets.
A spot check by the Guardian on Sunday in the Isles recently found that motorcycle riders strictly abide by most safety regulations as opposed to those in the mainland.
Statistics released by the Traffic Unit indicate that a total of 4,169 motorbikes were registered in 2014 and another 5,410 registered in 2015.
In Zanzibar, most motor cycles are of Vesper model from India, specially made to carry only one passenger, again a very different feature from the Mainland where a rider can carry more than two passengers. Such rides however are not paid for.
Dr. Juma Mfinanga, head of the Emergency Medical Department (EMD) at the Muhimbili National Hospital, reveals that most motorcycle road crash casualties admitted at the referral hospital suffer brain trauma injuries.
Brain trauma is a fatal risk that persons riding on motorcycle without a helmet incur in the event of a road crash, he said.
“Head injury is a common cause of death and long-term disabilities after motorcycle crashes,” he elaborates.
The national referral hospital admits between 30 and 50 road crash casualties per day with motorcycle crashes contributing 51 percent of total admissions.
Dr. Mfinanga says inter-cranial trauma injury was the leading form of injury suffered from motor-cycle road crashes, making 27.9 percent of all crash casualties.
Other injuries suffered during accidents include long- bone injuries contributing 58 percent of all the fatal accidents at the hospital.
Such passengers not wearing helmets are also likely to suffer inter-cranial injuries, the doctor says.
“With inter-cranial brain trauma, the victims risk losing consciousness, go crazy, descend into mental confusion or mental illness,” he says.
The brain is the driver of all activities in the human body, therefore once disturbed a person’s judgment ability drops to zero, he points out.
Underscoring the importance of wearing helmets, Dr. Mfinanga says passengers and riders need to protect their heads by wearing helmets at all times as it reduces inter- cranial trauma or internal bleeding, which in most cases causes permanent disabilities.”
He says concerted efforts from all stakeholders are needed to increase awareness on the negative medical impact of helmet negligence for riders and passengers.
The Urban West Regional Traffic Officer (RTO), Ramadhan Mohamed Ramia, says the Mainland has a lot to learn from the Isles on motorcycle riders and traffic rules observation.
In the Isles, he says, it is a mandatory for any motorcycle riders to attend driving lessons where the importance of helmets is stressed.
“Unless you attend a driving course in a registered driving school, you cannot be issued with a driving license, be it for a motor vehicle or motorcycle,” the officer says,, noting that using motorcycle in the rural areas would help to stem transport bottlenecks.
He says driving course attendance ensures that road accidents caused by reckless driving are prevented, with motorcycle rider being issued with license by Zanzibar Revenue Board.
Unlike on the Mainland, the police force in Zanzibar is not involved in the process of testing and approving drivers.Regular inspections conducted by the police in both urban and rural areas has reduced the number of notorious drivers specifically those who disregard other road users, which is the leading cause of road crashes. Those convicted were heavily penalized.
According to the RTO, there were 37 people injured from in motorcycle crashes in the past year.
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