Public must help traffic police
Dec 05, 2005
UGANDAN roads are among the least safe in the world, according to State Minister for Transport Andruale Awuzu. Over 3000 people a year die and around 8,000 are badly injured on Uganda’s roads.
UGANDAN roads are among the least safe in the world, according to State Minister for Transport Andruale Awuzu. Over 3000 people a year die and around 8,000 are badly injured on Uganda’s roads.
If a rebel group was causing this number of casualties, it would be debated in the UN Security Council.
Yet people seem to accept it as a normal part of living in Uganda because the casualties are self-inflicted. But it is not normal and it is not acceptable.
Awuzu was presiding over a ceremony where the Road Agency Formation Unit was donating six motorbikes, 18 speed guns and 18 breathalysers to the police. RAFU’s donation is certainly positive and will help the police to clamp down on bad drivers but it is far too little.
At a minimum, police in every district should be equipped with speed guns and breathalysers since speeding and drunk driving are the main causes of accidents.
The police now needs to go a step further and impose a much stricter discipline on Ugandan drivers.
On the spot fines may be suitable for speeding offences but drunk driving should lead to immediate arrest and prosecution.
A year ago the police had tightened up on the use of seatbelts and banned talking on mobile phones while driving. They have now relaxed.
They should get tough again. They should also start impounding vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition that do not have proper lights or tread on their tyres.
But the police cannot do everything. Ugandans must work on improving their driving culture.
Above all drivers must learn patience. They should not overtake on blind corners, or race along the wrong side of the road to jump a traffic jam, or speed excessively on Uganda’s roads that are full of natural hazards like potholes and wandering animals.
So let the police get tough, while drivers should become more co-operative.
If a rebel group was causing this number of casualties, it would be debated in the UN Security Council.
Yet people seem to accept it as a normal part of living in Uganda because the casualties are self-inflicted. But it is not normal and it is not acceptable.
Awuzu was presiding over a ceremony where the Road Agency Formation Unit was donating six motorbikes, 18 speed guns and 18 breathalysers to the police. RAFU’s donation is certainly positive and will help the police to clamp down on bad drivers but it is far too little.
At a minimum, police in every district should be equipped with speed guns and breathalysers since speeding and drunk driving are the main causes of accidents.
The police now needs to go a step further and impose a much stricter discipline on Ugandan drivers.
On the spot fines may be suitable for speeding offences but drunk driving should lead to immediate arrest and prosecution.
A year ago the police had tightened up on the use of seatbelts and banned talking on mobile phones while driving. They have now relaxed.
They should get tough again. They should also start impounding vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition that do not have proper lights or tread on their tyres.
But the police cannot do everything. Ugandans must work on improving their driving culture.
Above all drivers must learn patience. They should not overtake on blind corners, or race along the wrong side of the road to jump a traffic jam, or speed excessively on Uganda’s roads that are full of natural hazards like potholes and wandering animals.
So let the police get tough, while drivers should become more co-operative.