How to drive safely at black spots

Black spots are notorious for road accidents; often claiming many lives, especially on Uganda’s highways. Because some drivers do not follow traffic signs, it is rather harder for them to swiftly slow down at junctions to curtail accidents.

The Commissioner Traffic and Roads Safety, Mr Bazil Mugisha, says road accidents occur mostly at black spots because drivers do not follow traffic guidelines such as observing traffic lights, road markings and failure to embrace defensive driving, including signaling while diverting, stopping, parking and reversing.

“To work out black spots and reduce road carnage, motorists and other road users have to be careful while using the road,” he says. He says many drivers are unqualified; saying “they get driving permits without going to driving schools and they are always impatient and inconsiderate to other road users.”

Mr Mugisha says about 60 percent of road accidents occur in the central region. Masaka Road claims more lives. He attributes this to increased economic activities along the road compared with Karuma which is sparsely populated. According to Mr Mugisha all accidents are caused by drivers, pedestrians and passengers.

Black spots
Major black spots in the country include on Makindye-Salama road at Calendar Rest House, on Bombo Road at Wandegeya junction, and on Jinja Road near Game supermarket in Kampala.

Others are Munyonyo corner at Kabalagala police station, on Entebbe Road at Luboowa-Seguku, Lweza and Kajansi, Bwebaja Kitubulu Kitara and Katabi.
In order to reduce accidents at black spots, Mr Bazil Mugisha says there is need for road redesigning, including widening to reduce narrow and sharp corners, which are known as blind spots.

“In hilly areas, road constructers should reduce the height or flatten it like how they designed Mityana Road because hill tops are also black spots,” he says. He says erecting signposts to guide the drivers and pedestrians, penalising drivers who misbehave and including ramble streets can help curtail accidents.

When entering the black spot, he says a driver should hoot to alert oncoming drivers.
Following road sign post for children crossing, animals crossing and trading centres will also be of help.