DAR ES SLAAM, July 23 -- THE Tanzania Police Force has urged all motorcycle and bajaj (three-wheeler) riders to strictly observe road safety regulations to avoid road accidents that often result in permanent disabilities and fatalities.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the increasing number of riders, particularly bodaboda riders, who continue to flout road safety rules by carrying more than one passenger and, in some cases, operating without a valid drivers licence.

General statistics from police show that between January and December last year, the country recorded a total of 1,735 accidents, of which 1,198 accidents resulted in the deaths of 1,715 people and injuries to 2,719 others.

97 per cent of the accidents were...