Enforce road safety rules issued ahead of Christmas
The decision to comply with road rules is a moral obligation and a principal concern of ethics. There is too much impunity, bad road safety behavior, silence when drivers over speed etc. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- We appeal to those charged with enforcing the law to do so without fear or favour. Those caught on the wrong side of the law should be taken through the due process and either be fined or face their day in court
This week, the government issued early road safety guidelines to motorists and other road users as the country prepares for the festive season.
The Ministry of Works and Transport, through the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, advised motorists to plan their journeys early and avoid drunk driving and speeding, among others. Other guidelines included making use of seat belts and avoiding driving through flooded road sections, avoiding talking on the phone or texting and other forms of distractions while driving, and avoiding overloading vehicles in addition to moving with original driving licences.
Local leaders in island areas were advised not to allow people to use any kind of vessel, especially boats, across waters during the night, and all buses whose journeys are beyond 300km shall not have return journeys within 24 hours.
The guidelines come on the heels of the report that Uganda faces an alarming rate of road crashes, resulting in severe injuries and disabilities for survivors. This year alone – from January to September – 3,790 people died and more than 12,430 were seriously injured as a result of road traffic crashes, according to police. Unfortunately, accidents peak during the Christmas holiday.
The season is usually characterised by shopping, travelling and making merry. It is a period when many people travel from urban centres back to villages to celebrate with their families. According to the government, 60 people lost their lives between December 23, 2023, and January 1 this year. We applaud the Ministry of Works and Transport for being proactive and issuing these guidelines to reduce accidents on the roads, but as is usually the case, Uganda isn’t short of laws and guidelines, but on their implementation.
We appeal to those charged with enforcing the law to do so without fear or favor. Those caught on the wrong side of the law should be taken through the due process and either be fined or face their day in court. Police should mount operations with the aim of reducing accidents this festive season. We salute the men in uniform in the areas where checkpoints have already been mounted.
Finally, we appeal to all motorists to be responsible for their lives and others on the road. Plan your journeys early to avoid rushing at the last minute. Make sure your car is fully serviced and road-worthy before you make that journey upcountry
