Plan your Christmas journey early enough

Last weekend, at least 10 people were confirmed dead and 32 others critically injured after a Toyota Hiace taxi they were travelling in overturned on Rubanda-Kabale Road. Police say the driver of the taxi that was suspected to be carrying Congolese nationals (escapees) to Rwamiwaja refugee camp in Kamwenge District, failed to brake and fell approximately 100m off the road.

Uganda Traffic Police statistics reveal the country records more than 20,000 road crashes annually, with 5,000 fatalities. Many survivors are left permanently disabled. Sadly, the 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, especially from urban centres back to villages to celebrate with their families. It is also during this period of mass travel that the country registers an increase in the number of road accidents.

Last year, for instance, at least 33 people died due to accidents during Christmas celebrations in Uganda, while 156 faced serious injuries. The previous year, 58 people lost their lives in accidents during the Christmas holiday. Police also reported that 248 people were involved in accidents recorded between December 23 and Boxing Day, December 26, 2021.Police attributes the accidents to speeding, especially for taxis and buses rushing to make return journeys.

But the Traffic and Road Safety Directorate also attributes the number of accidents to people driving their new cars on long journeys for the first time, and driving cars in dangerous mechanical condition (DMCs), among other reasons. This speaks to the fact that many do not plan ahead of time. The trend can be reversed if we prepare early enough for our journeys and drive responsibly. As you think of travelling to spend the festive season with your loved ones, please ensure your vehicles are in sound mechanical condition and roadworthy. Have the car serviced; replace those worn-out tyres and have your mechanic give it a clean bill of health before you make that trip.

For those who are planning on buying cars, especially used ones, please do it ahead of time so that you have enough time to try it out and gauge its mechanical condition. You do not know why the previous owner is selling it. It could be because of a serious default that could cost you a lot of money, your life or leave you in prison.

For those currently in driving schools to get a permit so you drive yourselves to the village in a few days, please make sure you get on that highway only if you are confident you can make it to your destination safe and alive. Resist the temptation of showing off; get someone to drive you. Give yourself time to gain confidence so you can live to drive another day.