The Uganda Police Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has intensfied operations to curb indiscipline on the roads which is the main cause of road accidents.
According to the PRO of the Directorate, ASP Faridah Nampiima, the operations involve enforcement of several measures including; establishing barriers at identified black spots and speeding zones which will be manned 24 hours 7 days a week.
Traffic police will increase motorized patrols (vehicles and motor cycles), strengthening operations on speeding using the already deployed speed guns, and carrying out operations on reckless driving and other offences that are largely responsible for road carnage.
Nampiima said the fikasalama operations at fikasalama check points will operate 24 hours/7days.
Other measures include ensuring that only competent drivers are on the roads by checking for validity of their driver’s license.
Police will also enhance operations on bodaboda especially carrying more than one person on addition to the rider and riding a motor cycle without wearing a crash helmet on the road.
According to police, all offenders will be issued with express penalty ticket except for offences of failing to stop, drink drive, causing bodily injury where offenders and any repeated offenders will be produced in courts of law.
A total number of 40,760 traffic violators have been arrested and issued with EPS tickets on various traffic offences at various check points in the whole country from 01st to 31st MAY 2022 among these Speeding 1,855, Reckless driving 6,978 DMCs 8,979, Not wearing Seat belts 3,156, Invalid driving licenses 3,644, Driving without Third party insurance 3,403 among others.
Road safety tips.
1. Be careful when opening the door of a vehicle it may hit someone.
2. Never sit at the front if carrying a baby or young child.
3. Vehicles of less than 3500kg maximum permissible weight must never exceed 100km/h speed.
4. Wait for buses, taxis and bodabodas to pick you up at safe places such as a proper bus and taxi stops.
5. Don’t travel in the back of trucks and vehicles meant to carry goods only.