Police call for vigilance ahead of road safety walk

KAMPALA - As a section of Ugandans prepare for the November 17 road safety walk, Police have called for more vigilance and prioritized the well-being of pedestrians and passengers.

Police say all road users must ensure that roads are safer, attributing a significant portion of crashes to reckless driving and riding.

“As we are heading to the festive season, we tend to see a number of behaviours on roads. A lot of vehicles, even those that had been kept for so long, are brought out during this period because motorists want to drive them during the season, go to the village, and people see them driving.

Even those who have never touched the steering, are inexperienced and have no permits, but it is this time they come on the roads, and those not used to driving on highways. So, this shows that we must continue sensitizing the masses, thereby promoting behavioural change on our roads,” said the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson, Michael Kananura.

He made the remarks on Wednesday (November 6, 2024) at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala during the launch of a 60km walk, dubbed 'Joe Walker Road Safety' walk.

The walk, aimed at promoting and raising awareness about road safety, is spearheaded by road safety advocate Joseph Beyanga, widely known as Joe Walker, and is part of the activities to commemorate Global Road Safety Week.

The event will kick off at 6:00am on November 17 from the Independence Monument in Kampala and conclude at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala, where outstanding teams will be recognized for their commitment to the cause.

Dubbed the Joe Walker Remembrance Walk, the event seeks to honour those who have lost their lives on Ugandan roads while advocating for improved road safety.

In his remarks, Beyanga emphasised the need for all motorists to show mutual respect on the roads, to ensure everyone's safety, insisting the walk supports the United Nations' objective of halving road traffic fatalities by 2030.

The event will be organized in a relay format, underscoring that road safety is a collective responsibility.

He explained that teams of six participants will alternate walking at least 10 kilometers each before passing the relay baton, highlighting the significance of unity and teamwork.

“We invite everyone who has lost loved ones to road accidents to join us, we will have an inter-denominational prayer as we kick off the walk. Together, we will honour those lost, pray for their souls, and unite in hope for safer roads in our community,” Beyanga said.

He said each team will consist of both men and women and the inclusion of cheerleaders and pacesetters is encouraged to create an energetic and supportive environment.

Beyanga raised concern about Uganda's future being jeopardized by road accidents, particularly affecting individuals aged 25 to 34.

The Uganda Police Annual Crime Report for 2023 indicates that road accidents resulted in 4,806 fatalities, averaging over 13 deaths, per day.

However, during a press briefing at the police headquarters in Kampala on Monday, November 4, 2024, Kananura highlighted that motorcycles have become the predominant mode of transport, contributing to 49% of road accidents.

He emphasized that many of these incidents could be prevented if all drivers adhered to traffic laws, maintained recommended speed limits, avoided reckless overtaking, and respected road signs and other users, including pedestrians.

A recent mini-traffic report revealed that 32 pedestrians lost their lives in accidents over the past one week.

Beyanga also underscored that road safety is a collective responsibility essential for saving lives, urging all Ugandans to take action against the escalating road fatalities.

He pointed out that as the world commemorates the 1.3 million individuals who die annually in road accidents, the upcoming walk serves as a platform for families, friends, and communities to pay tribute to their loved ones and advocate for effective, evidence-based road safety initiatives.

Sheraton Hotel Kampala, Jubilee Insurance, and Nicole Foundation, among others, have partnered to organise the walk.