Why we need better traffic flow and sanity on the roads

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OPINION

By Peter Odeke

If my car had a mind of its own, it would probably wonder what had suddenly changed in me, the owner. It would also wonder why I was suddenly driving so sluggishly, yet I had always been a relatively slow driver.

I have tried. I have really tried to adhere to the new traffic speed limits, especially the 30kph along Kitante Road, and I realise that I may have to rip out my accelerator. My automatic car (almost without prompting) slips from gear 1 to 2 and then 3. I notice that every time it slips into third gear, it has automatically surpassed 30kph. And just like many Ugandans, I have asked myself this question: who, in their right mind, would recommend that 30 becomes the new norm for Kampala?? Was it a boardroom decision, or did people actually try it out on the road? Strange that we in Uganda are intentionally becoming slower as other countries are moving ahead.

But let’s be fair – what was the reason for this new ruleset? We have had numerous traffic accidents. Uganda loses about 4,500 lives each year in traffic accidents. According to Gen. Katumba Wamala, accidents are costing Uganda over US$1 billion in treatment annually; the Ministry of Works and Transport needs to show that they are doing something about it… so I guess these were the lowest hanging fruits to bring sanity back to the roads. Easier to tackle this than to try and sort out the real problems that are plaguing our system.

What could the real problem (s) be? We all know them, but we are sticking our heads in the sand, hoping that something will supernaturally change. But let’s consider the following problems on our roads:

1) The unregulated boda-boda industry. Firstly, we need to be frank and admit that these bikes solve a problem in our country – the lack of a mass movement system like buses, trains or trams that ease movement. However, we must also admit that these bikes are involved in most road fatalities in Uganda, either directly or indirectly.

I wonder how many boda-boda riders in Uganda have attended riding instruction from professionals? Have you ever seen a rider with an L (Learner’s) sign? What highway code do they follow? Do the same rules and regulations apply to them? For instance, on which side of the road are they allowed to overtake cars? Food for thought!

2) But it’s not only these riders… how many people do you know that learnt driving the formal way, by going to driving school and then being tested by the Uganda Police? I believe it’s such a minority! I know so many people who simply paid for their permits and didn’t go for any test whatsoever. Little wonder, therefore, that people bring their bad manners, aka “fujjo”, to the roads.

3) The state of our roads doesn’t help either, especially with the potholes that appear from nowhere; In Uganda, if you don’t know a road, it will attack you like an enemy. Unfortunately, dodging potholes has led to accidents that could have been avoided. Sometimes it is better to drive behind taxi drivers because they know their routes like the back of their hands… they know where each pothole is and which ones are better to go through slowly. Only an insane man will drive straight in many parts of the city.

4) Government cars that act like they have the right of way… When I was growing up, it was accepted that the Uganda Prisons Service had the best drivers in Government, and at the end of that spectrum, we all knew to steer clear of UCB Bullion Vans – they were created differently. Today, every senior government official seems to have a UCB driver, bulldozing rightful-minded drivers off the roads. It raises the sensitive question: Who in Uganda has right of way? I imagine several Ministers would want the earth to swallow them now, as they read this.

5) What about the poor mechanical conditions of vehicles? Cars emitting so much smoke that visibility for other drivers is impaired? What about fatigue, especially among bus and truck drivers? What of the overloaded trucks and lorries that eventually fail to brake? Where do these heavy goods vehicle drivers learn to drive? Did they simply graduate from being turn-boys? Amongst other things, if we can solve these problems, then we can confidently say that we're on the way towards safer, better-regulated roads.

6) Zebra Crossings! In most sane cities, pedestrian crossings are highly respected to the extent that even if a pedestrian light turns red after they have started walking, cars with right of way must first wait for the pedestrian to walk off the road. I have observed that while many cars respect the zebra crossing near the entrance to Parliament, boda-boda riders don’t care a whiff! Which brings me back to the elephant in the room: Boda-boda riders. Government needs to accept responsibility for allowing the boda-boda industry to mushroom like a fungus that has no head, form or direction.

The bitter truth is that boda-bodas are an economic solution to the many unemployed youths that this country has; if they were banned, we would have thousands of hungry, angry young people, willing to do anything to survive… anything, including crime. It’s an industry that urgently needs to be regulated.

I am blessed to have visited several countries, including Vietnam, which has one of the highest motorcycle density per capita in the world. With at least 70 million registered motorcycles in a country of just over 100 million people. Vietnam, therefore, has at least 700 motor-bikes for every 1000 people. Imagine that! Uganda, on the other hand, has an estimated 1.5m bikes, meaning we have about 33 boda-bodas for every 1000 people.

Vietnam, just like Uganda, lacks an efficient mass transportation system. I noticed, however, that all riders in the capital, Hanoi, maintained road etiquette. They stopped at lights, never more than two people on a bike, all had helmets; when the lights changed, it was an organised sea of movement, but it worked. Why can't this happen in Kampala? Why can’t boda-bodas exist harmoniously with cars until we have organised public transport? Wouldn’t a regulated boda-boda industry have a positive effect on traffic flow? That's another difficult question to ponder.

But what about the question of road etiquette for all road users? How many people actually know the meaning of the different road signs? How often do we see drivers forming extra lanes where they shouldn't? Changing lanes without indicating… Failing to courteously allow other drivers to join the lane… It’s a jungle in Uganda!!! And of course this begs the (almost) age-old question: Where, oh where, did these people learn to drive? Who tested them?

Regardless of the answer, we are now here, in the middle of 2025, being ambushed by a new culture of road fines that even appears suspect, owing to speed limits that are next to impossible to maintain. What do we do? So here are some humble suggestions:

1. Determine appropriate limits for different areas. Hospitals, Schools, Churches, and Market areas are high-density areas deserving a zone status with speed limits not exceeding 30kph. Internationally, a “School Zone” usually means a perimeter of about 300m (1000ft) around that school.
   
   
2. Clearly mark the speed limits along the major routes, in high density zones as well as built-up areas. In the UK, built up areas such as towns and cities often have a maximum speed limit of 30mph, which translates to about 50kph.
   
   
3. Provide for modern zebra crossings, to include zig zag lines leading up to a painted crossing, as well as a flashing beacon. The responsible people should come down hard on non-compliant riders or drivers that disrespect such pedestrian walkways.
   
   
4. Fine errant drivers that disrupt orderly traffic flow. This includes driving the wrong way, creating lanes, overtaking where traffic is queued-up, blocking traffic junctions and any inconsiderate use of roads.
   
   
5. Similarly, demarcate more Box Junctions to ensure that access ways are always clear, even when traffic lights are not working, and when there are no police in place.
   
   

In New Zealand, amongst other places, drivers from different lanes or junctions create an orderly single file in what is known as “Merge like a Zip” by simply allowing one driver from the adjacent lane to join ahead of them - no need of “fujjo.”

6. Educate, educate, educate! Bikers, for instance, need to know that they should not weave in and out of lanes. If international standards cannot work for them, create homegrown solutions for order.
   
   
7. Schedule errant drivers for mandatory re-testing. Suspend permits for repeat offenders! The saddest fact is that most of these suggestions are already embedded in the highway code, but they are not enforced. And many people don’t even know that we have a highway code. Therefore (again): Educate, educate, educate!
   
   
8. Lastly, to the thing that has caused the most mental chaos on our roads in recent days– the road fines. We need them!!! Fine bad drivers! Fine the errant riders! But remember that fines should follow adequate or reasonable sensitisation (aka education) and also follow clear and consistent road markings and signage; this will ensure that there is clarity and no excuse to err. Fines should also be applied across the board, afterall, “what is good for the Goose is good for the Gander!”

I am one of the people who eagerly look forward to better traffic flow and sanity on the roads of my beautiful country. For God and My Country.

The writer is a concerned citizen