SLOW DOWN, RESPECT FOR TRAFFIC REGULATIONS WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE Every day, traffic personnel rise to their duty on the road. Come rain or sun, both men and women in white will bear it all to impound cars in dangerous mechanical conditions, check for expired driving permits, intercept vehicles with dangerous loads and generally caution or penalize those not abiding with the traffic regulations. Traffic laws and guidelines are clearly spelt out in the traffic and road safety Act 1998. Penalties for breaking these guidelines are also given therein, but the worst of these probably not written anywhere yet so final is death. When one sets out to drive a vehicle in dangerous mechanical condition (DMC), all they think about is to dodge the traffic personnel or even more, pay a fine for the traffic offence committed. Nobody thinks of death or injuries that result from driving a vehicle with dysfunctional headlamps, worn off tyres, brakes that do not work or broken side-mirrors. Just over the last 2 days (12th -13th July 2014) traffic accidents have cost the lives of 10 people and injured 22 others. On 12th July 2014 at 0820am, Muwaya Abdul of Walukuba East, Jinja district, knocked dead Wampipi Philemon male juvenile of 6 years as he tried to cross the road at Buwera on Kamuli road. He was driving a Toyota Hiace registration number UAG 105E, which was then towed to Nalufenya police station for inspection. On the Same day, Kasirye Martha 4 years pupil at Serina Nursery school was also knocked dead as she crossed the road. The car was an Isuzu Elf registration number UAD 591S. Other fatal accidents on 12th occurred at Nyeihanga on Mbarara Kabale road, at Angweta on Lira-Soroti road, and at Kiruma cell, on Rukungiri-Kihihi road, Kanungu district. On the 13th July 2014, motor vehicle UAP 107D fuso lorry lost control at Ocoko village, Arua-Nebbi road and knocked dead Musema Zaituna 34years at Mbirizi trading centre on Masaka-Mbarara road, driver of canter registration number UAR 968L lost control and died instantly. A senior four student Kyasimire Joan 21 years of Kaikolongo Senior S.S, who was travelling with her colleagues to a field tour, lost her life at Kaikolongo village, Kalobu-Sembabule road in Rwengo when the driver of Fuso lorry registration number UAP 655C lost control and the vehicle overturned. Just 2 days and 10 people dead, 22 others injured. Just when will the call to respect traffic guidelines be honored by all Ugandans, such that children and other pedestrians can use the zebra-crossings without fear! The traffic directorate of the Uganda Police Force launched the traffic week on the 3rd-07-2014 from Nyendo to Lorry grounds in Masaka town ahead of the police centenary celebrations slated for 3rd October 2014. Among other things, this launch focused more on sensitizing boda boda riders and other motorists against the dangers of not observing traffic regulations. Benefits were highlighted to enhance co-operation between motorists, communities and the police to ensure accident free roads in Uganda. The directorate pledged to work together with boda boda riders to obtain valid driving permits and the necessary road safety skills. It is still possible to achieve this vision. The Uganda police force therefore will continue to comb our roads for those that do not abide by traffic regulations. However, it serves better to remember that these traffic personnel cannot be everywhere at all times and the onus is on all of us to be the best drivers on the road and be mindful of other road users while we travel. Polly Namaye Ag. ACP Press and Public Relations Deputy PRO 14th-07-2014
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 16:19:34 +0000
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