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The Uganda Police Force's Directorate of Traffic and Safety on Sunday reminded motorists to ensure they stick to a number of safety tips to avoid accidents as schools reopen for the second term on Monday, May 27.

Michael Kananura, the spokesperson of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, called upon all parents, teachers and caretakers of children to be responsible for their safety as they travel to and from schools.

“As schools reopen for the second term, it’s essential to prioritise road safety to ensure the well-being of students, teachers, parents and other road users.  The Directorate of Traffic & Road Safety thus reminds all road users of the following road safety tips. We call upon all parents, teachers and caretakers of these children to be responsible for their safety as they travel to and from schools,” he said.

Among the tips Kananura shared included all motorists observing rules of the road, and exercising maximum discipline and patience while on the roads.

“This will minimise congestion on the road,” Kananura said.

He also told motorists to avoid distractions like using phones while driving, walking or crossing the roads.

“Children below the age of 12 are to be accompanied by elders on motorcycles; motorcycles that carry more than two children are strongly warned. Riders and children on motorcycles are required to put on helmets at all times while on motorcycles,” Kananura stated.

He also said children are to be escorted or accompanied by parents or guardians to guarantee their safety on the road.

“Drivers are strongly warned on carrying excess and interference to safe driving as this contravenes with the traffic laws and regulations and can lead to crashes,” he stated.

“Children are also advised to take taxes and boda bodas from recognized stages, use recognised motor vehicles for taxes with checkered bands to avoid conmen, do not board tinted vehicles or strange vehicles to avoid kidnaps. Take note of the registration number of the tax or boda boda before boarding it,” Kananura warned.

He urged motorists to remember that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“Let’s work together to ensure a safe and happy second term, 2024. Our toll free 0800199099,” Kananura said.

In February this year, Police revealed they had recorded a 30 per cent increase in road fatalities registered with the police in 2023, with 4,179 lives lost, according to the annual traffic and safety report released here on Wednesday.

The death toll in road crashes increased by 30 per cent to 4,179 in 2023 from 3,210 in 2022, the now former Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola said at the launch of the report.

“The figure in serious crashes increased to 12,487 in 2023 from 8,860 in 2022,” former Inspector General of Police Okoth Ochola who unveiled the report said.

Police said at least 23,608 road crashes were recorded in 2023 compared to 20,394 cases registered in the East African country in 2022, according to the annual report.

“There was a 15.5 per cent increase in common offences registered by the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety countrywide from 456,993 cases registered in 2022 to 528,025 cases in 2023,” said the report.

To curb the alarming accident rates, the police said they had resorted to enforcement of traffic laws and regulations through operations, targeting commercial motorcycle riders, commuter passenger taxis, and other risk factors such as speeding and drunk driving.