Blogs
Road safety is management responsibility, not police matter
The safest journey begins not with a traffic police checkpoint, but with responsible management before a vehicle leaves the park, writes Bob Ssekiziyivu
Bob Ssekiziyivu. (File)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Bob Ssekiziyivu
In her article, When Your Taxi Ride Becomes a Risk, published in New Vision on October 7, Doreen Mutoni raised important concerns about the mechanical condition of passenger taxis in Uganda. Her observations highlight a wider challenge that deserves attention: Road safety is not merely a responsibility of traffic police, but also a fundamental management responsibility of transport operators.
Recent vehicle inspections under Operation Ganyegenya have exposed serious weaknesses in the roadworthiness of passenger vehicles. According to figures reported by New Vision, 97% of 106 taxis inspected during an early phase of the operation had serious mechanical defects. These findings raise an important question: What management practices allow vehicles in such conditions to continue transporting passengers?
Although enforcement operations are necessary, they largely identify problems after unsafe vehicles have already entered the road network. Sustainable road safety requires preventive measures within transport businesses themselves.
A major concern is how transport operators manage vehicle maintenance. Roadworthiness should not become a priority only when traffic police conduct inspections. Transport operators need preventive maintenance schedules, accurate service records and routine mechanical assessments. Decisions about vehicle deployment should be guided by safety standards rather than the pressure to generate daily revenue.
Beyond vehicle maintenance, driver supervision deserves equal attention. Transport operators often assess drivers through daily collections, passenger numbers and vehicle utilisation. However, these financial and operational indicators should be complemented by measures of responsible driving, compliance with traffic regulations and passenger safety. Regular training, supervision and accountability can help establish a stronger safety culture.
Equally important are the operational pressures placed on drivers. Unrealistic departure schedules, excessive working hours and pressure to maximise daily collections may encourage unsafe driving practices.
Transport managers should, therefore, establish realistic schedules, promote adequate rest and ensure that revenue targets do not compromise passenger protection. Road safety must also become a measure of organisational performance.
A transport company should not be considered successful simply because it generates revenue or operates a large fleet. Its performance should also be reflected in the roadworthiness of its vehicles, driver conduct, regulatory compliance and reliability of service. Government institutions and transport associations have an important role in strengthening these practices.
A major concern is how transport operators manage vehicle maintenance. Roadworthiness should not become a priority only when traffic police conduct inspections. Transport operators need preventive maintenance schedules, accurate service records and routine mechanical assessments. Decisions about vehicle deployment should be guided by safety standards rather than the pressure to generate daily revenue.
Beyond vehicle maintenance, driver supervision deserves equal attention. Transport operators often assess drivers through daily collections, passenger numbers and vehicle utilisation. However, these financial and operational indicators should be complemented by measures of responsible driving, compliance with traffic regulations and passenger safety. Regular training, supervision and accountability can help establish a stronger safety culture.
Equally important are the operational pressures placed on drivers. Unrealistic departure schedules, excessive working hours and pressure to maximise daily collections may encourage unsafe driving practices.
Transport managers should, therefore, establish realistic schedules, promote adequate rest and ensure that revenue targets do not compromise passenger protection. Road safety must also become a measure of organisational performance.
A transport company should not be considered successful simply because it generates revenue or operates a large fleet. Its performance should also be reflected in the roadworthiness of its vehicles, driver conduct, regulatory compliance and reliability of service. Government institutions and transport associations have an important role in strengthening these practices.
The Ministry of Works and Transport, Traffic Police and relevant transport associations should complement enforcement with initiatives that improve fleet management, maintenance planning, driver supervision and operational accountability. From a strategic management perspective, the central challenge is not simply the existence of road safety regulations but how effectively these requirements are translated into everyday organisational practices.
Safety improves when transport managers allocate resources, establish responsibilities,
monitor performance and consistently enforce internal standards. Operation Ganyegenya should, therefore, serve as a turning point in how Uganda approaches road safety.
While police enforcement remains essential, lasting improvements will depend on transport operators taking greater responsibility for vehicle maintenance, driver supervision and operational discipline. Road safety must become part of everyday management decisions rather than a response to enforcement operations.
After all, the safest journey begins not with a traffic police checkpoint, but with responsible management before a vehicle leaves the park.
The writer is a strategy consultant and senior lecturer at Makerere University Business School
Safety improves when transport managers allocate resources, establish responsibilities,
monitor performance and consistently enforce internal standards. Operation Ganyegenya should, therefore, serve as a turning point in how Uganda approaches road safety.
While police enforcement remains essential, lasting improvements will depend on transport operators taking greater responsibility for vehicle maintenance, driver supervision and operational discipline. Road safety must become part of everyday management decisions rather than a response to enforcement operations.
After all, the safest journey begins not with a traffic police checkpoint, but with responsible management before a vehicle leaves the park.
The writer is a strategy consultant and senior lecturer at Makerere University Business School