Vivo Energy trains motorcyclists on road safety
Sep 16, 2014
Vivo Energy has conducted the 6th road safety training for commercial motorcyclists, locally known as boda bodas.
By Nicholas Oneal
ENTEBBE - Vivo Energy, the company that distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in 16 African countries, has conducted the 6th road safety training for commercial motorcyclists, locally known as boda bodas.
The training that took place at the flight Motel in Entebbe attracted over 100 boda boda operators who received tips on how to control road accidents.
Paul Kwamuzi, the training instructor, gave the motorcyclists tips on defensive riding, over speeding, avoiding drugs, and avoiding using phones while on the road.
The operators were also told on how to use road signs.
Kwamuzi made sure to let the boda boda men know that 15% of the Mulago Hospital budget goes towards boda boda accident victims – which means that the incidence of such accidents is still high.
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A Boda Boda rider reads a safety book during the training. PHOTO/Nicholas Oneal
A Boda Boda rider reads a safety book during the training. PHOTO/Nicholas Oneal
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Up to 100 commercial motorcyclists took part in the Vivo Energy-sponsored training. PHOTO/Nicholas Oneal
Up to 100 commercial motorcyclists took part in the Vivo Energy-sponsored training. PHOTO/Nicholas Oneal
The training is meant to promote the use of helmets and to reduce traffic errors and offences committed by commercial riders.
According to the Uganda Police, over 50 percent of road accidents involve commercial motorcycles, with the highest numbers registered in urban centres.
In 2013 alone, records show, 20,837 people were killed in such accidents in Uganda with a reported 12,754 serious injuries and 1,592 slight injuries.
The road safety training has already been completed in the districts of Lira, Busia, Mbale,Mukono, and Wakiso.
It targets at increasing road safety awareness and commitment among commercial motorcyclists, and also to help change their attitude and behaviour on the road.