Judgement

The concept of a “safe ride home” has been redefined here in Tanzania. Back in Canada, I am the person that insists on no drinking and driving. I work in a beer joint and anyone who has ever worked in a restaurant or bar knows that after work, drinks happen. I however, choose to drive to work and therefore I usually refrain from a drink or I at least limit myself to one and have been known to have Alex Wilson finish that one for me.

I am demanding when I drive. I insist that if I am driving someone that they put on a seat belt, if there are not enough seat belts then I don’t take everyone in my car.

In Dar things are much different and therefore I am much different as are my standards. When it is extremely dangerous to walk anywhere after dark, yet your sanity depends on a social life, you are often in search of a safe ride home. The rules of back home no longer apply. First off, I often take a bajaj with a driver that is a complete stranger. Who knows what he may be on, you do your best to find one who is sober but who really knows what he’s been up to earlier. Seat belts? HA! Well, there is no such thing in a Bajaj, because it is basically a tin can with a (faux) leather roof. Taxi, well, there are seat belts but they usually don’t work, and tend to be a bit scarier because they have the power to lock the doors, possibly locking you in. This is a sense of security when you know and trust the driver because it protects you from the dangers of the outside but when you don’t know him it can instill fear like never before. Add him taking a route you are unfamiliar with and you are assuming you are being taken to be mugged, raped, and maybe killed. Sorry, this is dark but it is my reality and it has been terrifying. This is not my imagination, these are things that happen here. So you take the precautions you can but so much is out of your control.

Bajaj and taxis are also hard to come by sometimes. For a demographic that needs to make any money they can, they are surprisingly selective about the hours they keep.

These are the reasons why the BEST option is to go with someone you know who is driving. Oh I love those nights. So much more relaxing. The thing with this option is that the driver is drunk. I guarantee it. They are my friends so I know. Certainly they are usually not obliterated but they have consumed far more than the legal limit. Now because of the above mentioned issues, everyone is seeking a ride with this friend who is driving. This means there are far more people in the vehicle than safety would dictate. Seat belts are definitely not an option and I have been in the boot (trunk/hatch) more than once due to my size. At the time it has been a very good option considering the alternative.

I am aware that this is an unsafe choice but given the alternatives, going with a friend who has had a few is far safer than the other options. What do I take from this realization? I suppose to be grateful that there are better options at home, that I have made it through 6 months unharmed, and to withhold judgement. Sometimes people do what they have to. Sure, it is not always the ideal choice but we are all human trying to get by and we do what we can. So when I see a family of 4 on a motorbike I no longer think "how irresponsible and unsafe", I think, "they are doing what they have to right now".


Judgement is an unkind action and incredibly arrogant. It assumes you are all-knowing. This simple act of willingly getting into a car where the driver has been drinking has opened my eyes to the fact that sometimes people do what they have to in certain circumstances. Also, I just want to point out reason number two hundred and thirty seven in the list of why Canada is amazing: I have never HAD to make this choice. There are always other, better options.