All highways are synonymous with high traffic volumes during the festive seasons. It is advisable that you obey traffic rules. PHOTOS/ISAAC KASAMANI
The festive season is characterised with travelling to spend the holidays with loved ones. However, it is also a season where many road crashes are registered because of many factors such as excitement and speeding, among others. These are some of the tips to have in mind before getting on the road.
First-time highway drivers
In terms of safety, there’s a very big difference between driving in urban areas and highways. While destructions in urban areas such as driving while using a phone are somewhat forgiving, where you may sometimes find yourself in a heated argument with reckless motorcyclists or knock any other obstacle and get away with it, any slight mistake or room for destructions on a highway will lead to severe injuries, and at worst, death. Remember you’re travelling with your family in the car.
“The highway requires maximum attention and concentration where you must avoid destructions like using your phone, controlling music and passengers in the car. It (highway) is where you find experienced and inexperienced drivers as well as bullies. If it is your first time on a highway, hire an experienced driver. If you choose to drive, it should be at a manageable speed. Do not compete or race against anyone. Avoid keeping in constant communication with those at your destination because you may be tempted to drive at a speed beyond which you cannot control your car,” says Paul Kwamusi, a road safety trainer at integrated transport systems limited.
Bear it in mind that the festive season sets in with the rainy season, making it dangerous to speed. Avoid driving in flooded areas. Flooded water might appear shallow but it has the capacity to carry away your car and all occupants.
Avoid road excitement
Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner transport regulations and safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport reminds you of the major road crash risk factors that include speeding, drink-driving, child restraints and helmet use, all under the United Nations internationally recognised safe systems approach when using the road.
“A journey should be like a trait. If you estimate your journey to last five hours, set off early, drive at an average safe speed to avoid unnecessary rushing. You may want to prove to your relatives at your destination how fast you are and you don’t reach,” Katushabe warns.
For passengers in public service vehicles such as buses and taxis, self-policing, just like neighbourhood watch, is key in saving your life. If your driver is engaging in risky behaviour such as phone driving or speeding, you can report on toll free number 0800 199099 or secretly record a video or take photos and report to traffic police on WhatsApp number 0779 999 999.
First-time motorists
Don’t drive upcountry because you have just bought the car and want to show off. It becomes difficult even if you’re careful because you’ve never driven on a highway. It is not possible because of high traffic volumes with all kind of motorists on the road, including those who will exhibit impatience and impunity, as well as those excited.
Seatbelts and child restraints save lives
Traveling with family includes children. However, these should be confined in child restraints and not left to stand or occupy the co-driver and passenger seats. In case of sudden or harsh braking, the child will be ejected from the car through the windscreen at the same speed at which you’ll be driving and they’ll die. A child restraint is as important as a seatbelt. In case of a road crash, it holds and keeps you in your seat and significantly reduces chances of death.
Journey management plan
A journey management plan involves aspects like where you’re starting your journey from and resting points to stretch. However experienced a driver you may be, you cannot, for instance, drive a journey of 500km nonstop without resting.
When you start early, you reach your destination early but you also adhere to the set traffic regulations along all major roads. With two days to your trip, have enough rest to shade off any kind of fatigue so that you sit behind the steering wheel with a fresh body and mind.
Obey traffic regulations
During the launch of the national road safety week at Mestil Hotel, Kampala in December 2023, Allen Kagina, the Executive Director of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) said the responsibility of saving lives cannot be delegated to traffic police or civil society organisations but rather to individuals. Road construction, she noted, has an element of road safety embedded therein, such as incorporation of road markings that guide on safer and proper road usage to ensure safety for all road users.
“Unfortunately, most of you ignore road markings. We don’t mark roads for beauty but to guide you on where you shouldn’t drive, overtake or the speeds beyond which you shouldn’t drive. Until everyone takes road safety as their responsibility to drive carefully and safely, to watch out for pedestrians, you will continue to treat road crashes as somebody else’s problem yet it starts with you,”Kagina says.
All highways are synonymous with high traffic volumes during the festive seasons. Whereas these volumes may sometimes slow you down, Michael Kananura, the public relations officer of the traffic directorate warns against abuse of set traffic regulations. Whereas the maximum speed limit for saloon and sport utility vehicles is 100km/hr, the maximum speed for public service vehicles is 80km/hr.
“Avoid testing how fast your car can go. You’ll not only be breaking the law but you’ll also be exposed to road crashes. Avoid overtaking many vehicles in one queue and in places where you cannot see more than 200 meters ahead of you,” Kananura advises.
“There will be heavy traffic police deployment beyond the normal capacity everywhere. If you are caught driving when drunk and being errant and stubborn on the road, you’ll be arrested and taken to courts of law. If you have unpaid express penalty tickets or fines, pay them before you get on the road because you’ll be inconvenienced,” he adds.
If your car has been parked for long, it is advisable to first have it fully serviced. And since this festive season is likely to coincide with the rainy season, it is advisable to drive cautiously.
SEATBELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS SAVE LIVES
Traveling with family includes children. However, these should be confined in child restraints and not left to stand or occupy the co-driver and passenger seats. In case of sudden or harsh braking, the child will be ejected from the car through the windscreen at the same speed at which you’ll be driving and they’ll die. A child restraint is as important as a seatbelt. In case of a road crash, it holds and keeps you in your seat and significantly reduces chances of death.
