May 11, 2013

The Helmet Vaccine Initiative – Tanzania (HVI-T) Foundation gathered around 200 students from Turiani Primary School and road safety supporters on May 11 to walk together and highlight the need for improved pedestrian safety throughout Tanzania. Supported by the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, the event drew attention to the rights of pedestrians in Dar es Salaam’s rapidly developing urban environment.

The group was joined by Michele Gersbach, the UN Country Safety and Security Advisor in Tanzania – who represented Dr. Alberic Kacou, the UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania. D.L. Chamulesile, Commissioner of Prisons, Ibrahim Mwamukula, Regional Traffic Officer of Kinondoni SSP, and Kinondoni Education Authority representatives also attended

Led by the police brass band and under close supervision from traffic police, the group walked for approximately two kilometers along Morogoro Road. As this road provides access to many construction sites, the walk aimed to encourage the municipality to retain sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrians.

Live radio and television coverage of the event made this important message heard to people throughout Tanzania.