Members of Parliament on the committee on health have observed that medical expenditure is high due to road traffic crashes and hence the need to discuss the utilization of 3rd Party insurance proceeds.

The committee chaired by Dr Charles Ayume made the observation in a meeting with the finance state minister in charge of general duties, Henry Musasizi, on Tuesday, February 20, 2023, to discuss the utilization of Third-Party Motor Vehicle Insurance.

Motor Third Party was established by an Act of Parliament in 1989 as a social protection mechanism- to protect all road users against third-party risks including bodily injury and death arising from accidents of insured vehicles.

The Motor Vehicle Insurance premiums have three components: Insurance premium, stamp duty and VAT.

Minister Musasizi said about 47% of the income from motor third party goes to the consolidated fund as tax revenue to finance Government programmes and the remaining percentage is used to pay claims for injury and death as well as other operational expenses and tax obligations like corporate tax.

Road carnage burden

Cabinet recently came up with road safety measures to curb the rising cases of accidents that have claimed the lives of several road users in the country.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi said that Cabinet resolved to deal with road accidents by stepping up enforcement and effective regulation and management of road transport services.

He also revealed that the Cabinet has resolved to address road carnage through increased road safety sensitization and awareness, effective coordination of all road safety efforts and strengthening of the traffic and road safety legislation.

A report compiled by the Police Traffic and Road Safety Directorate shows that the country registered 206 road crashes between December 23, 2022, and December 26, 2022. Of these, 47 were fatal, 95 serious accidents and 64 minors.

Road safety tips

In the wake of such tragedies, it becomes imperative to impart essential road safety tips to mitigate the risk of accidents:

• Always drive within the specified speed limits to ensure control and reaction time.
• Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions such as phone use while driving.

• Ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition with routine checks and maintenance.
• Motorcyclists and passengers should always wear helmets and other protective gear.
• Obey traffic signals, signs, and road markings for a smoother flow of traffic.
• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front to allow for sudden stops.
• Ensure your vehicle has working lights, and use indicators to communicate your intentions.
• Be cautious of pedestrians at all times, especially in busy areas or near crossings.
• Adjust your driving according to weather conditions, such as rain or fog.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as it impairs judgment and reaction time.