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ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAFFIC POLICE IN PREVENTING ROAD ACCIDENTS IN TANZANIA
THE CASE OF TRAFFIC POLICE IN DAR ES SALAAM
ELIAS LUAMBANO
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA
2014
ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAFFIC POLICE IN PREVENTING ROAD ACCIDENTS IN TANZANIA
THE CASE OF TRAFFIC POLICE IN DAR ES SALAAM
ELIAS LUAMBANO
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA
2014
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CERTIFICATION
I, the undersigned, certify that I have read and hereby recommend for acceptance by the Open University of Tanzania a dissertation titled “Assessing the Effectiveness of Traffic Police in Preventing Road Accidents in Tanzania,” in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Human Resource Management.
______
Dr. Hawa Uiso
(Supervisor)
Date:______
COPYRIGHT
©
No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the author or the Open University of Tanzania in that behalf.
DECLARATION
I, Elias Luambano, hereby declare that this dissertation is my own original work and that it has not been presented and will not be presented to any other University for a similar or any other degree award.
Signature______
Date______
DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to my mother Honorata Lwena who took me to school so that I could learn the wisdom of modern world
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This dissertation would not have been completed without the contribution, encouragement and support from many individuals. For this reason I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all those who supported me in writing this dissertation. I am heavily indebted to my supervisor, Dr. Hawa Uiso of the Open University of Tanzania whose help, advice and encouragement helped me to complete this dissertation. Despite her tight schedule, she worked tirelessly in providing me with constructive feedback and academic guidance.
Many thanks go to my employer, The Tanzania Police Army for granting me permission to do this study. I wish to recognize and appreciate the good cooperation accorded to me by various individuals during the data collection period including Traffic Police officers.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my beloved wife Graciana Ngonyani and my children Emilias, Eliada and Elia whose love and patience enabled me to complete the studies successfully. I understand that I caused a lot of distress to them especially during the periods that I have been confining myself to my studies. Their understanding, tolerance and support enabled me to accomplish this dissertation.
ABSTRACT
The main objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of Traffic Police in preventing road accidents in Tanzania. The study was based on various theories including system, accident causation, risk homeostasis and goals freedom alertness theories. The study aimed at outlining the roles of Traffic Police in preventing road accidents in Tanzania; assessing the adequacy of Traffic Police equipment; and identifying the challenges facing them in executing their duties. This study used questionnaire as the main method of data collection and the sample size was 226 Traffic Police based in Dar es Salaam. The data was analysed descriptively using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study found that Traffic Police were ineffective in preventing road accidents as they failed to create public awareness on road safety issues as well as conducting daily roadside inspections which made road users to relax and possibly cause road accidents. Furthermore, the study found that there was a shortage of road safety traffic equipment like cameras, road direction facilities as well as Traffic patrol vehicles that could assist Traffic Police in preventing road accidents. Moreover, the study found that Traffic Police had a lot of challenges including poor working conditions and inadequate salary package. The study recommends that in order for Traffic Police to be effective in preventing road accidents in Tanzania more efforts should be devoted to creating public awareness on road safety issues; proper training for Traffic Police and adequate road traffic facilities should be put in place. In addition the government should restructure Traffic Police salaries, and improve their working condition. More refresher programmes and long term training should be organized for Traffic Police.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Supervisor’s Certification i
Copyright ii
Declaration iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Tables xi
List of Figures xiii
List of Appendices xiv
List of Abbreviations xv
CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 An overview of the role of Traffic Police 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 5
1.3 Main Objective of the Study 7
1.4 Specific Objectives of the Study 7
1.5 Research Questions 7
1.6 Significance of the Study 8
1.7 Organisation of the Study 8
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 9
2.0 Introduction 9
2.1 Theoretical Literature Review 9
2.1.1 System theory 9
2.1.2 Accident Causation Theory 10
2.1.3 Risk homeostasis theory 11
2.1.4 Goals Freedom Alertness Theory 11
2.2 Empirical literature Review 12
2.3 Synthesis and Research Gap 23
2.4 Conceptual Framework 24
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODology 26
3.0 Introduction 26
3.1 Research Paradigm and Design 26
3.1.1 Research Paradigm 26
3.1.2 Research Design 27
3.2 Study Area 28
3.3 Sampling Method 29
3.3.1 Selection of Sample size 30
3.4 Data Sources and Data Collection Techniques 30
3.4.1 Secondary Data 31
3.4.2 Primary Data Collection 31
3.5. Questionnaire Design 31
3.6 Measurement of Dependent and Independent Variables 32
3.7 Validity Checks 33
3.8 Measurement of Reliability 34
3.9 Data Analysis Process 34
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS 35
4.0 Introduction 35
4.1 Basic Profile of Respondents 35
4.1.1 The level of education of the respondents 35
4.1.2 Conclusion on the level of education of the respondents 36
4.2 Results of validity and reliability tests 37
4.3 Findings According to Specific Objectives of the study 38
4.3.1 Outlining the roles of Traffic Police in preventing road accidents in Tanzania 39
4.3.2 Assessing the adequacy of Traffic Police equipment in preventing road accidents in Tanzania 45
4.3.3 Identifying the Challenges Facing Traffic Police in Preventing Road Accidents in Tanzania 51
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 66
5.0 Introduction 66
5.1 Major conclusions 66
5.1.1 Outlining the roles of Traffic Police in preventing road accidents in Tanzania 67
5.1.2 Assessing the adequacy of Traffic Police equipment in preventing road accidents in Tanzania 67
5.1.3 Identifying the challenges facing Traffic Police in preventing road accidents in Tanzania 68
5.2 Recommendations 69
5.2.1 Recommendations to the government 69
5.2.2 Recommendations to Traffic Police 70
5.2.3 Recommendations to road construction companies 70
5.3 Limitations of the study 70
5.4 Direction for Future Research 71
REFERENCES 72
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1: Death Tolls among Road Users 3
Table 1.2: Distributions of Traffic Police in some of the regions in Tanzania 4
Table 2.1: A Summary of empirical literature review 23
Table 4.1: Level of education of the respondents 36
Table 4.2: Reliability of instruments 38
Table 4.3: The Role of Traffic Police in creating public awareness
on road safety issues 40
Table 4.4: The role of Traffic Police in conducting road side inspections 42
Table 4.5: Traffic Police conduct mandatory car inspections 43
Table 4.6: The inadequacy of road traffic cameras in Dar es Salaam 46
Table 4.7: Inadequacy of Traffic Police vehicles for road patrol 47
Table 4.8: The provision of motor cycles to Traffic Police to improve
performance 49
Table 4.9: Adequacy of Traffic Police road direction facilities 50
Table 4.10: Adequacy of Traffic Police in safeguarding road users 52
Table 4.11: The majority of Traffic Police officers were trained
to be Traffic Police……………………………………………………... 53
Table 4.12: Traffic Police have good offices 55
Table 4.13: Enough salaries for Traffic Police 56
Table 4.14: Fringe benefits in motivating people to join the Traffic Police
profession………………………………………………………………...57
Table 4.15: Poor road condition in most areas limits effectiveness
of Traffic Police 59
Table 4.16: Road construction activities limits effectiveness of Traffic Police 60
Table 4.17: Traffic Police take bribes from road offenders 61
Table 4.18: The freedom of Traffic Police in executing their duties 63
Table 4.19: Conducting refresher courses for Traffic Police 64
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1: Conceptual framework 24
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix i: Questionnaire 83
Appendix ii: Interview Guide for Senior Traffic Police Officers 83
Appendix iii: Table for Determining Sample Size from a Given Population 87
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AUDIT Alcohol Using Disorders Identification Test
DFID Department for International Development
DRC Democratic Republic of Congo
EU European Union
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GRSF Global Road Safety Facility
HQ Headquarters
LMICs Low and Middle Income Countries
MDBs Multilateral Development Banks
NPF Nigeria Police Force
SAEM Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
TPF Tanzania Police Force
TRA Tanzania Revenue Authority
UK United Kingdom
UN United Nations
UNRSC United Nations Road Safety Collaboration
URT United Republic of Tanzania
US$ United States Dollar
USGAO United States Government Accountability Office
WHO World Health Organisation
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CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1.0 Introduction
This chapter examines the effectiveness of Traffic Police in preventing road accidents in Tanzania, a case of Dar es Salaam region. It provides background information to the statement of the problem. Moreover, it introduces the statement of the problem and objectives of the study. It also presents research questions and significance of the study.
1.1 An overview of the role of Traffic Police
World Health Organisation (2013) asserts that approximately 1.24 million people die every year on the world’s roads, and another 20 to 50 million sustain nonfatal injuries as a result of road traffic crashes. These injuries and deaths have an immeasurable impact on the families affected, whose lives are often changed irrevocably by these tragedies. They also affect communities in which these people live and work. Road traffic injuries are estimated to be the eighth leading cause of death globally, with an impact similar to that caused by many communicable diseases, such as malaria (World Health Organisation, 2013).
Amoi-Séminet (2013) argues that the African region has the highest road fatality rates of all the world’s regions. Young men are the most vulnerable road users. Pedestrians, cyclists, and persons travelling on motorized and wheelers are at great risk of death and injury on the roads. Even where comprehensive laws are in place, poor law enforcement renders the laws ineffective.
The Tanzania Police Force is a national police force. The functions of the Police Force include the preservation of peace, maintenance of law and order, prevention and detection of crime, apprehension and guarding of offenders and the protection of property, and for the performance of all such duties shall be entitled to carry arms” (S.5 of the Police Force Ordinance Cap.322). Mushumbusi (2012) asserts that the Tanzania Police Force (TPF) has an immense responsibility in terms of providing a safe and secure environment for every individual residing in the Republic of Tanzania despite conducting his or her duties under difficult and often dangerous conditions.
The data from Tanzania Traffic Headquarters show that there were 23,578 total accidents whereby death toll counted 3,969 and injuries were 20,111 in 2012 compare to 23,986 total accidents with 3981 death toll and 20,802 injuries in 2011 (Tanzania Police Force, 2013). This means that the prevention of road accident has not been dealt with effective measures as the number of road accidents, death and injuries decrease slowly.
Over a period of six years (2008-2013) there has been tremendous increase of the death tolls among road users. Table 1.1 summaries this information:
Table 1.1: Death Tolls among Road Users
Death of road users / 2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013Pedestrians / 1,018 / 1,090 / 1,191 / 1,260 / 1,212 / 1,032
Passengers / 875 / 983 / 1,005 / 1,191 / 1,185 / 903
Motor cyclists / 282 / 514 / 456 / 695 / 808 / 723
Pedal cyclists / 516 / 383 / 657 / 497 / 405 / 360
Drivers / 152 / 234 / 229 / 284 / 293 / 233
Handcarts / 62 / 19 / 44 / 54 / 66 / 34
Total / 2,905 / 3,223 / 3,582 / 3,981 / 3,969 / 3,285
Source: Tanzania Traffic Police, (2014)
The occurrence of road accidents in Tanzania can also be associated with Traffic Police responsibility as they are the main supervisors of road safety. The following table shows the number of Traffic Police distributions in some of the regions in Tanzania for the year 2014. From the table 1.2 it is seen clearly that Dar es Salaam has the highest number of Traffic Police followed by Arusha, Morogoro, Mbeya and Coast regions.
Table 1.2: Distributions of Traffic Police in some of the regions in Tanzania
Regions / Traffic Police / Regions / Traffic PoliceDar es Salaam / 550 / Iringa / 132
Arusha / 220 / Kagera / 134
Morogoro / 240 / Manyara / 132
Mbeya / 295 / Mwanza / 191
Coast / 243 / Mtwara / 103
Kilimanjaro / 179 / Ruvuma / 123
Dodoma / 155 / Shinyanga / 135
Singida / 120 / Tanga / 195
Tabora / 116 / Mara / 93
Source: Tanzania Traffic Police, (2014)
Again, the number of vehicle in Dar es Salaam is greater than other regions in Tanzania. TRA (2014) reports that between 2008 and 2013, there were a total of 226,806 light vehicles imported and registered in Tanzania, a yearly average of 37,801 vehicles bought by Tanzanians during that period. About 70 per cent of these are being driven in the streets of Dar es Salaam.
Traffic Police enforcement for the prevention of road crashes can be considered in two dimensions: technology and organisation. In Australia, there has been considerable development in technology, including breath testing apparatus and the speed camera (Leggett, n.d). In parallel with such developments in technology, there are opportunities for further development of workable systems of organisation that underlie the delivery of the technology (ibid)
Road traffic accidents disproportionately affect certain population groups. For instance, males and those living in more deprived areas are most likely to be involved in road traffic accidents. Children and older people also experience higher rates of pedestrian injury than other age groups (Lyons et al, 2003). The use of alcohol or drugs among drivers increases the risk of road traffic accidents (Ogden and Moskowitz, 2004)). Furthermore, alcohol use can increase the severity of injuries sustained from a road accident (e.g. among injured pedestrians (Bradbury, 1991). The diverse environmental and social characteristics seen between area types like urban, suburban and rural areas mean that different locations often require different solutions (Wood et al, n.d).