Do we need special laws on right of way?
What you need to know:
- If we, as a society can push the rule of law aside so easily, what guarantees do we have that at such a time when we need to revert to the law, we shall actually seek it.
- We have slowly turned the country into a jungle where survival is for the fittest. Must we always come up with laws to regulate instances where common sense would have been enough?
Of late, it has become a hobby of many government officials who are not entitled to right of way to bully other road users. Interesting enough, some are highly-placed judicial officers who should know better!
Unfortunately, they too have joined the craze of self-entitlement. How does a judicial officer, who is mandated to determine the fate of others, comfortably sit in their car when their convoy is breaking traffic rules, and in some cases cruising on the opposite side of the road with sirens blaring complete with armed escorts
The laws of Uganda are quite elaborate on who is entitled to right of way, but the way our ‘big people’ behave is akin to telling that they either do not know about these provisions, or they simply do not care about other road users.
Under Regulation 5(2) of the Traffic and Road Safety (Rules of the Road) Regulations, 2004, the motorcade of the president of Uganda, vice president of Uganda, Chief Justice, the Speaker of Parliament or the Prime Minister, have a right of way. Needless to say, some individuals not explicitly provided for under the law, can be granted permission by the Inspector General of Police if it is deemed necessary.
It has become common place, especially during the peak hours, for vehicles of ‘presidents’ of associations and clubs, heck anybody who can afford to have these knockoff sirens and lights added to their cars and police lead vehicles, to demand right of way. The so-called rich people, socialites, comics, spouses of ‘big people’ and those with a claim of acquaintanceship with people wielding a bit of power, to forcefully demand right of way.
What is sickening is demanding right of way where it is practically impossible, especially on bridges, narrow roads! Do our so-called liberators want us to fly over bridges in order for them to pass?
A number of roads in the suburbs of Kampala hardly have enough room for two vehicles to drive through at the same time and yet these are the roads on which you are most likely to get pushed off the road by those classes of people mentioned above. Maybe it is time the country (legislature) designated some roads as those reserved for people with right of way such that mere mortals can at least drive in peace.
The total disregard of traffic rules points to a much bigger issue. The disregard for the rule of law and the aid of law breakers by those mandated to uphold it - the police and the Judiciary.
If we, as a society can push the rule of law aside so easily, what guarantees do we have that at such a time when we need to revert to the law, we shall actually seek it.
We have slowly turned the country into a jungle where survival is for the fittest. Must we always come up with laws to regulate instances where common sense would have been enough?
Cissy Kagaba,
Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda
