A TOTAL of 1,624 commercial motorcycle riders in Dar es Salaam have received road safety and first aid training through a partnership between Tanzania Breweries PLC (TBL) and the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS), exceeding the programme’s target by 24 participants.
The training, conducted across all five districts of the city, aimed to equip riders with practical skills to reduce road accidents, respond to emergencies and promote responsible behaviour, particularly ahead of the festive season when road use and travel activities typically increase.
The programme reached 102 per cent of its target of 1,600 riders, with participants trained in defensive riding techniques, road safety regulations, proper helmet use, emergency response and responsible decision-making.
The partnership, which began in 2024, recognises the important role commercial motorcycle riders play in connecting communities, supporting livelihoods and facilitating economic activities, while also exposing them to road safety risks.
According to the programme results, Temeke recorded the highest number of trained riders at 384 against a target of 378, followed by Kinondoni with 347 against 345.
Ubungo trained 313 riders against a target of 307, while Kigamboni reached 245 against 235. Ilala met its target by training all 335 riders planned for the district.
TBL Director of Corporate Affairs and Regulatory, Neema Temba, said road safety initiatives were important in protecting lives, families and livelihoods.
“Road safety is not only about preventing accidents; it is about protecting families, preserving livelihoods and ensuring people return home safely every day,” she said.
Temba said the response from riders and the achievement of exceeding the training target demonstrated the value of equipping road users with practical knowledge and skills.
The programme also focuses on first aid, recognising that commercial motorcycle riders are often among the first people to arrive at accident scenes.
Through the training, riders are equipped with basic emergency response skills that can help them provide immediate assistance while waiting for professional medical support.
Tanzania Red Cross Society Secretary General, Lucia Pande, said road safety was a shared responsibility and that equipping riders with first aid knowledge could help strengthen emergency preparedness in communities.
“Through this partnership, we are helping riders become safer road users while also empowering them with first aid skills that can save lives,” she said.
The initiative also promotes responsible behaviour, including the message that drinking and riding do not mix, as part of broader efforts to reduce preventable road accidents.
TBL said it would continue working with partners to expand road safety awareness, strengthen first aid education and encourage responsible road use across the country.
The programme’s results point to the importance of combining road safety education with practical emergency response training, particularly among groups that spend much of their working time on the roads.
District results
| District | Target | Trained | Achievement |
| Kinondoni | 345 | 347 | 101% |
| Kigamboni | 235 | 245 | 104% |
| Ilala | 335 | 335 | 100% |
| Temeke | 378 | 384 | 102% |
| Ubungo | 307 | 313 | 102% |
| Total | 1,600 | 1,624 | 102% |
