Abstract:
This study assessed “Influence of Community Policing toward Motorcycle Riders (Boda-boda)
Traffic Accident Reduction in Tanzania: A Case study of Babati Town." The study is based on
three objectives: first, to examine the influence of community policing strategies on motorcycle
traffic accident reduction in Babati Town; second, to assess the influence of community
awareness on reducing motorcycle traffic accidents in Babati Town; and lastly, to investigate
factors hindering community policing from reducing motorcycle traffic accidents in Babati Town.
To achieve the three objectives, the methodology adopted a convergent parallel mixed method
design (qualitative and quantitative) in order to meet the appropriate data for the study. The study
used to collect data from 100 respondents: police and motorcyclists (boda-boda) were
purposefully selected, while community members were randomly selected. The method employed
was a questionnaire, interview, and focus group discussion to gather and collect data. The
quantitative data was analysed using SPSS by coding, organizing, and converting into
frequencies or percentages within tables. The study shows majority of respondents in Babati town
support community policing's success in reducing motorcycle accidents, despite some doubts,
indicating the need for effective community cooperation. There were associated challenges in
implementing the policing: a lack of adequate funding, insufficient community participation, a lack
of support from the local government, limited training and resources for law enforcement officers,
and a limited understanding of community policing by the members of the community. The study
recommended the allocation of enough funds, enhancement of community participation,
investment of law enforcement agency training and resources, and educating the community-on
community policing.
