Rogers Kawuma Nsereko, the Kampala Metropolitan traffic commander, says most traffic offences are deliberate, which is a road safety challenge. Photo/file
The enforcement of the new traffic regulations, speed limits, and the express penalty scheme (EPS) system has left motorists, transport businesses, and vehicle loan companies confused. Since last week, the police have been using the Automatic EPS system to fine errant motorists with tickets and sending electronic receipts to vehicle owners by mobile message or email.
Mr William Busuulwa, the chairperson of Uganda National Transport Alliance, said the government has also punished companies dealing with vehicle loans since the penalties of errant motorists are sent to registered owners of the vehicles.
“Most vehicles are bought on loan. The financial institution or the hire purchase companies keep the vehicles registered in their names until their clients have paid their loans fully. Now, the Auto EPS sends the receipts to the registered owner of the vehicle,” he said.
In the new traffic regulations which motorists have to pay traffic fines within 72 hours (three days) after the issuance of the EPS tickets, and upon default, a 50 percent surcharge is slapped on them. For now, the Auto EPS has largely targeted motorists speeding, with some victims slapped with tickets as high as Shs900,000 in just a few minutes.
Taxi operators have threatened to lay down their tools this week if the enforcement of the regulations continues. Mr Rashid Ssekindi, the chairman of the Uganda Transport Operators Federation (Utof), said his members will not stay in business if the regulation is halted to allow sensitisation of the taxi operators. “We need signage on the roads for our drivers to know the speed.
Currently, there are signs on the road. The traffic police officers are still guiding traffic flow at junctions, yet we were told that once the motorists don’t abide by the traffic lights, the Auto EPS would fine them,” Mr Ssekindi said.
Mr Mustafa Mayambala, a leader in the taxi industry, said they have been left with no option but to strike until their concerns are addressed.
Many motorists have complained about the speed limits, saying they aren’t practical. According to the speed limit regulation number three, motorists have to drive at speed below 30km per hour when the road ins near a business centre with high human or vehicular interaction.
“Notwithstanding sub regulations (1) and (2), the maximum speed limit on a road referred to in sub regulation (1) and (2) which is adjacent to a school, church, hospital, market or business centre with a high human or vehicular interaction, shall be thirty kilometres per hour,” read regulation number three of the speed limit law.
This means the speed limit even on paved highways in such an environment has been reduced to 30km/hr from 50km/hr.
Rogers Kawuma Nsereko, the Kampala Metropolitan traffic commander, says most traffic offences are deliberate, which is a road safety challenge. Photo/file
Mr Busuulwa said most highways and roads have become like streets. “For instance, highways like Kampala-Busia, Kampala-Entebbe and Kampala-Gulu, towns have been built along the road throughout. What time will it take for motorists to arrive at their destination if they are driving at 30km/hr nearly throughout?” Mr Busuulwa said.
In the new regulations, once a motorist exceeds the prescribed speed limit in excess of one kilometre to 30kms per hour, he or she will be fined Shs200,000.
For instance, if a driver drives at a speed between 91km/hr and 120km/hr on a paved highway road, which is an excess of 30km from the speed limit of 90km/her, he or she will be fined Shs200,000.
But if that Sedan driver drives at 121km and above on the same road and spot, he or she will be fined Shs600,000 because he or she has exceeded the speed limit more than 31km/hr.
Some offences and fines
- Driving uninsured vehicle -Shs40,000
- Driving a car with obscure registration numbers -Shs40,000
- Driving without a valid driving permit- Shs100,000
- Using a goods vehicle on a road in a manner which makes it dangerous to other road users -Shs200,000 Using a motor vehicle for the carriage of passengers or goods for hire or reward when it is not licensed to do so -Shs100,000
- Using a vehicle operator’s license in breach of the license issued -Shs200,000
- Using a motor vehicle which is not in good condition on a road -Shs60,000
- Driving with blood alcohol concentration above prescribed limit -Shs 200,000
- Driving under the influence of drugs-Shs200,000
- Careless or inconsiderate use of motor vehicle-Shs100,000 Failure to give right of way to authorised emergency vehicles or driving on shoulders-Shs100,000 Failure to stop at a railway level crossing -Shs40,000 Riding in a dangerous position-Shs60,000
- Carrying more than one person in addition to the driver, on a motorcycle, carrying a person on seat not securely fixed to a motorcycle-Shs100,000
- Carrying of passengers on a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant in such numbers or in such a position as to be likely to interfere with safe driving -Shs100,000
- Driving a motor vehicle without a copy of the registration book in respect of the vehicle -Shs40,000
- Carrying of passengers on a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant, obstructing a road or waiting, or being left or parked or being loaded or unloaded in a road-Shs100,000
- Vehicles obstructing the road or waiting, or being left or parked or being loaded or unloaded in a road- Shs100,000
- Riding a motorcycle without a valid driving permit -Shs100,000
- Riding a motorcycle without wearing a crash helmet on the head- Shs40,000
- Failure to use child restraints-Shs40,000
