The Uganda Police, through the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, has issued strict guidelines that will be implemented to curb the increasing number of road fatalities in the country.

This was announced on Monday, March 4, 2024, by SP Michael Kananura during the weekly security press conference held at Naguru Police Headquarters in Kampala.

SP Kananura said that a total of 77 people died and 399 sustained injuries between February 25, 2024, and March 3, 2024, from various motor accidents across the country.

“Among the dead were 25 (34%) motorcyclists, 22 (30%) pedestrians, and 7 (09%) passengers on motorcycles,” SP Kananura said.

SP Kananura noted that traffic police will continue engaging in security operations to crackdown on all errant drivers who drive shoulders one way, overtake carelessly, overspeed, and boda bodas motorists without crash helmets, reflective jackets, and driving permits.

He further guided motorists to take care of pedestrians, saying that they don’t have much of a chance when hit by vehicles.

“Many pedestrians are not used to traffic, and many do not know how dangerous the road is. So, drive carefully, and always slow down to 50 km/hour where there are pedestrians, particularly in crowded town centres, markets, and near bus stops. Watch out for pedestrians stepping suddenly into the road from behind parked or stopped vehicles. Be extra careful when children are around and when driving near schools. Be friendly to old people and disabled people when they are having difficulty crossing the road,” Kananura noted.

He called upon motorists to always slow down near schools and hospitals, stop at the zebra crossing to let pedestrians cross using the zebra crossing, and avoid overtaking on or near the zebra crossing because this may make it difficult for them to see the pedestrians who have started crossing the road using the zebra crossing.

“Remember that over a third of the people killed on the roads are pedestrians; when you step out of your car, you become a pedestrian too. So, show more care and slow down when you see them. They have as much right to use the road as you do,” Kananura said.

The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety continues with road safety sensitization across the country, targeting all road users to promote behavioural change.