Cablegate: Tanzania: Distracted Driving

VZCZCXYZ0010
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDR #0147 0481350
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171350Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9425

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000147

SIPDIS

OES/S FOR NANCY CARTER-FOSTER
AF/E FOR TREADWELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SOCI UNGA TZ
SUBJECT: TANZANIA: DISTRACTED DRIVING

REF: STATE 6703

1. Ambassador Lenhardt delivered reftel points to Foreign Minister
Membe on January 25. Membe agreed distracted driving was a serious
issue and promised to follow up with his colleagues in other
relevant ministries.

2. We subsequently delivered the demarche to Omar Chambo, Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

3. Tanzania's Road Traffic Act of 1973 prohibits careless driving
but does not directly contemplate texting or other use of mobile
phones while driving. Tanzania is currently running an awareness
campaign on the importance of seatbelt use.

LENHARDT

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