Boda Boda unruliness is a threat to public safety

Jun 20, 2016

Just last week, a Makerere University Journalism student who completed her course in May perished after the motorcycle taking her to attend afternoon prayers was knocked by a car.

The rate at which boda boda accidents are happening is so alarming that something drastic must be done. We have lately been recording a lot of deaths caused by boda bodas especially in Kampala.

Just last week, a Makerere University Journalism student who completed her course in May perished after the motorcycle taking her to attend afternoon prayers was knocked by a car. This is only one of the many cases of people who have lost lives due to boda bodas.

There are also overwhelming boda boda causalities including people who have sustained permanent disabilities. Mulogo National Referral hospital had to set up a separate ward to treat motor casualties due to their alarming numbers. Most of these are boda boda victims.

Majority of such accidents could be avoided if riders abide by traffic regulations. We have ample traffic regulations but the challenge lies in the implementation.

Most of us know that it is prohibited for riders to use road pavements but this is not being done. It is also not news that boda bodas in Kampala don't respect traffic lights.

And by the way, how many boda boda riders even have riding permits? With all these, why don't we expect accidents to happen?

What is even perturbing is the fact that these boda bodas ferry people who don't seem to care about their recklessness. Anyone concerned about survival will never allow a rider to put his or her life at stake by breaking traffic regulations.

The fight against boda boda unruliness starts at individual level. Don't allow a boda boda rider to break traffic regulations as you are being ferried. Remind such riders that they are breaking the law. If the person insists, never pay their fare.

Meanwhile, the traffic department of Uganda police force should strengthen the implementation of road safety regulations. Heavy penalties must be imposed on any rider who dares break traffic laws.

Boda boda riders are not above the law. If they cannot humbly abide, they should be forced to do so. We cannot continue losing innocent lives due to their recklessness.

Yeka William

yekawilliam@gmail.com

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