Police train in new traffic regulations

By Samuel Balagadde

Traffic Police officers and inspectors of motor vehicles are undergoing training and induction in the newly enacted traffic and road safety regulations and improved service delivery.

Stephen Kasiima, the commissioner in charge of traffic and road safety, while opening the course, warned the Police officers against abuse of work and asked them to ensure that they are not compromised by motorists.

He said only traffic officers that have undergone special training are supposed to issue the instant penalty tickets under the Express Penalty Scheme of the Police (EPS) to avoid mistakes.

“The Police have had a series of audit queries from the Auditor General resulting from the little money collected from the issued instant penalty tickets. We have been collecting only 60% from the issued tickets to traffic offenders,” said Kasiima.

Winstone Katushabe, the Secretary of the Transport Licensing Board, briefed the officers on the new traffic and road safety regulations, including that on reflectors, motorcycles, licences and route charts.

However, the trainees expressed concern over the increased number of unregistered motorcycles that operate as bodabodas in Yumbe and Moyo districts.

Participants were given copies of the Traffic and Road Safety Act to read.