Following recent road crashes caused by broken down vehicles on the road, the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has advised all drivers to use emergency warning signs while in transit.

In accordance with Section 7 of the Traffic and Road Safety (Reflectors) Regulations, 2012, all vehicles must carry two emergency warning signs on board, according to the directorate's spokesperson, Michael Kananura.

He says signs are set up when a vehicle faces challenges on the road, alerting other road users of the danger ahead, to avoid accidents.

Kananura adds that the triangular signs with reflectors, must be positioned both in front and behind the vehicle, at least 45 metres away.

This was during the joint security briefing at Police headquarters in Kampala on Monday.

Over the weekend, former Leader of Opposition and legislator, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo rammed into a truck loaded with sugarcane that was blocking traffic from Gulu to Kampala but survived with serious injuries.

This comes barely a week when a bus carrying Senior Six students from Midland High School in Kaberamaido district hit a trailer in Soroti, causing the death of two and injuries of over 30 others, on their way to a tour.

In July this year, city businessman Apollo Nyegamahe aka Aponye, also passed away in the similar way in July after his car rammed into a truck which had parked along the road, along Mbarara road.

Kananura warned that during routine checks at Fika Salama checkpoints, any motor vehicle found without “these reflectors” will face penalties.

Fika Salama extra operations

During the Fika Salama Extra operation for September, a total of 380 drivers were caught exceeding speed limits along Kampala-Entebbe Expressway.

Kananura said they were captured by CCTV cameras, and penalised with an express fine of shillings 200,000.

He noted that 474 motorists were detained overnight, had their fingerprints taken and received express fines of shillings 200,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol at various Kampala Metropolitan stations.

He asked all drivers to use caution while on the road, noting speeding and irresponsible overtaking as major causes of accidents.

He reiterated that bikers must wear crash helmets or face arrest.

Kananura urged both drivers and riders to abstain from driving in poor visibility conditions caused by bad weather, such as rain or fog.

He underlined the need of employing dipped headlights in such circumstances to improve fellow drivers’ ability to see oncoming vehicles.

He advised people to contact the police at the toll-free number 0800199099 to report any traffic breaches or voice their complaints.