Motor sports safety workshop winds up

The three-day FIA-sanctioned motor sports
safety seminar ended here yesterday as crowd
control remaining a challenge in domestic
events.
During the workshop, several topics in
connection with how best to organise safe
rallies were discussed by the participants who
came all the way from motor sports clubs
affiliated to Automobile Association of Tanzania
(AAT).
Some of the topics that were highlighted
during the workshop, the third of its kind to
be held here, included route design structure
basing on how busy is the earmarked track in
connection with traffic intensity on the
allocated days, role and responsibilities of
clerk of the courses, marshals and paramedics;
handling of complaints, appeals and protests,
and involvement of local authorities.
However, the question of crowd control has
been discussed as still rife particularly in urban
areas as contrasted to rural.
Kilimanjaro Motor Sports Club’s driver Faheem
Aloo said efforts must be taken to intensify
crowd control particularly at the finishing
stage ahead of flying finish.
He says most of the spectators alongside the
villages are highly aware of motor accidents
and they stay far away from the roadside.
Despite huge enthusiasm shown by spectators
in urban areas still the crowd control brings a
headache to rally organisers.
Creating awareness to the entire communities
where a rally is to be held is an important
aspect towards highlighting safety and
cautions.
Instructors of the workshop have underlined
the need to make use of mobile phones and
radio as a mean of communications to create
awareness. Advertisements and television
coverage particularly in urban areas have also
been advised to be applied though this would
depend on the organisers’ set aside budget.
Fatalities resulting from rally events in
Tanzania are relatively low as contrasted to
other countries in the continent.
The workshop has been conducted by FIA
experts from United Arab Emirates-based
Motorsport Knowledge Institute which included
their director Ronan Morgan, Stuart Murray
and Tanya Kutsenko.
The workshop was officially opened  at Tanga
Beach Resort Hotel on Thursday this week by
Tanga District Commissioner Halima Dandego
who represented the Regional Commissioner
Chiku Galawa.
The workshop was officially closed by the AAT
vice-president for motor sport, Satindersingh