Police launch campaign to avert road carnage on Kampala-Gulu highway

ROAD SAFETY

Traffic police officers have launched a road safety campaign to sensitise road users in a bid to reduce the increasing road carnage on the Kampala-Gulu highway.

Traffic Police officers from Kampala in conjunction with traffic police officers in Oyam, Kiryandongo and Gulu districts launched the road safety campaign.

Jesca Monica Ndirugendawa , the traffic liaison officer from traffic directorate headquarters Kampala  said the campaign is aimed at sensitising drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, especially school children on how to safely use the road.

A Traffic police showing a driver that he was over speeding

The  campaign was launched last week at the Kiswabongingo in Bweyale town council, Kiryandongo district where 50 people have so far perished in different road accidents this year including 24 killed in the Gaagaa bus.

"This campaign is focused mostly on drivers, who carelessly put people's lives at risk as a result of their poor driving skills," said Ndirugendawa.

Ndirugendawa said traffic police officers are going to intensify their operations and apprehend motorists who overtake at black spots, sharp corners and trading centres along the highway.

She said the campaign started from Eastern Uganda, went to Western Uganda and at this moment, they are in Northern Uganda.

She reminded drivers to use the newly-paved highway very carefully to keep their lives safe.

"Good roads do not mean speeding, remember speed kills," she told the taxi , bus and truck drivers during the launch of the programme.

Jesca Monica Ndirugendawa , traffic liaison officer from traffic directorate headquarters Kampala said the campaign is aimed at sensitising drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, especially school children on how to safely use the road

Police distributed fliers with messages on how motorists and pedestrians can avoid accidents.

"We cannot continue losing lives like this, we need to give people hope that accidents can be avoided" Ndirugendawa added. She warned that vehicles which are not roadworthy will be impounded and owners prosecuted.

The LC1 chairperson of Akuridia cell in Juma parish Kamdini sub county, Oyam district Morris Okot, urged traffic police officers to take action against motorists who take calls while driving.

He advised government to separate lanes for the trailers, buses, motorcycles and the pedestrians or else construct flyovers especially in busy trading centers  like  Nora trading center where  many people have died trying to cross the road.

Okot said Nora trading is along the Murchison Falls conservation area which has experience a lot of accidents caused by stray elephants. He appealed to the Government through Ministry of Tourism,  Wildlife and Antiquities to put sign posts to alert the people.

Chemutai Basti Oyam district traffic officer said; "Accidents occur due to lack of awareness among people about the importance of road safety measures and how following these measures can help save their lives in case of an accident. This campaign will just do what is required."

Some of the traffic rules and regulations to follow

Learning and implementing the traffic code, not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving within the speed limit,  passing and overtaking other vehicles properly, not running a red traffic light, coming to a complete stop at STOP signs and giving right of way to pedestrians and disabled persons.

Others are; observing traffic signs and recommendations of traffic police, always wearing a seatbelt, putting children in the back seat and properly securing them with seatbelts, always wearing a helmet if riding or being a passenger on a motorcycle, and checking the vehicle before setting off on a journey.

The traffic police officers also went to three primary schools ; Nora, Amati and Fr Gregory to create awareness  on road safety.