I would use technology to control road carnage

It is apparent that the development initiated by the NRM since 1986, specifically the improved road network has unfortunately turned into citizens’ murder chambers.

Although I acknowledge the social media role, it is reasonable to suppose that it is basically for announcing post-accident breaking news. I am yet to see leaders’ innovations on googling, skype, facebook and twitter for road safety.

The pathetic state of affairs in respect to safety on Ugandan roads and the status of the road transport industry itself is not what an ordinary citizen can be proud of even when one considers the ever increasing boda boda impunity; their usefulness notwithstanding. What of the unprofessional conduct of most taxi drivers and over speeding buses?

The World Life Expectancy website ranks Uganda seventh in unwarranted road accidents in the whole world; a country ironically aspiring to leap into a middle economy? Visit: (http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/uganda)

Why must Ugandans pay the price of unaccountable road usage in the form of endless, senseless road killings, coined accidents? Surely, should we be contend with mourning every other day, applaud because of wasted taxpayers money in burial expenses, remain indifferent to congestion in hospital casualty wards and maiming of accident survivors when colossal sums of money have been injected in the National Backbone ICT Infrastructure and almost half of the population own mobile phones?

Why must the President elude addressing such an important aspect?
Why must it be business as usual when travellers including tourists perish everyday in what would otherwise be avoidable road accidents yet, lame excuses, statements, wonderful eulogies made or appeasements released to the bereaved as if there is no solution whatsoever that can be thought of?

Why not inject those resources in preventing “accidents” than the usual reactionary statements of “driver on the run”, “we shall investigate” and many others?

Ignored
It is strange that in the face of such incredible carnage, leaders have shunned employing hassle-free, efficient, cost-effective and user-friendly innovations to give travelers a chance to arrive alive and live full lives instead, preferring outdated manual ways.

It is important to start a liberation “war” by encouraging passengers and drivers to register their personal details online like: Name, Driving Permit Number, Sub -county of residence, departure and destination so that transporters can be automatically tracked.

The system of capturing road users’ data (whoever is on the road) on a common public platform: pedestrian, passenger, boda boda, taxi, bus or truck driver is the great idea would ensure every road user is traceable at any one point once one’s data is initially captured.

Ultimately, the rationale for use of this innovation is because international social conduct scholars long established that once one’s identity and conduct are traceable at all times, instinctively, one behaves responsibly.

Drivers shall then be conscious of their actions being watched by other road users and therefore, check their conduct.
In a nutshell, since surveillance cameras and police can’t be installed everywhere, enforcing public-driven accountable road usage using phones is the only convenient but cost-effective solution to road carnage.

About the author

Name: Green Mugerwa
Nationality: Ugandan
Occupation: Activist
Residence: Kampala
Contacts: (Tel) 0706372027
(Email) [email protected]