A driving examiner from North London travelled 15,000 miles to teach road safety skills in Tanzania as part of Transaid’s Professional Driver Trainer Project.
Ron Capper, who works for bus company Metroline, spent two weeks at the National Institute of Transport in Dar es Salaam teaching three driver trainers lessons on vehicle checks, driving techniques and safety procedures. A blog detailing his experiences can be found at: http://fromcricklewood2tanzania.blogspot.com.
Transaid CEO Gary Forster says: “There are very few formally trained bus drivers in Tanzania - most learn from a family member or friend and as a result the crash statistics are worryingly high.
“During the first three months of 2011 alone there were 6,000 road crashes in Tanzania, resulting in 829 fatalities. We are keen to reduce that number significantly.
“Ron has been a fantastic ambassador for this project and I know that the three driver trainers he has helped have gained valuable skills which they will pass on, and which will help produce a generation of safer and better skilled drivers.”
More than 2,000 drivers operating trucks, buses, motorcycles and forklift trucks have already benefitted from Transaid’s support in Africa.
The charity hopes to continue this work by raising a record-breaking £30,000 through its Christmas appeal, which asks companies to make a donation in exchange for an e-card incorporating its name and logo. For more information on the Christmas appeal visit: http://www.transaid.org/christmas-appeal-2011
Note to Editor:
Transaid (www.transaid.org) is an international development agency that aims to improve people’s quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable. It was founded by Save The Children and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and works by sharing skills and knowledge with local people to enable them to put in place and manage efficient transport systems.
Transaid’s core work includes creating transport management systems for the public sector and assisting with the provision of professional driving qualification development and the training of driver trainers. It also assists with teaching preventive vehicle maintenance management and introducing local, low cost transport solutions including its innovative bicycle ambulance. Transaid also helps promote HIV, AIDS and road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.
Transaid enjoys strong backing from the transport and logistics industry and the active involvement of its patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
For further press information:
Chantelle Cummings at Transaid +44 (0)20 7387 8136
Lucy Harvey or James Keeler at Garnett Keeler +44 (0)20 8647 4467
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