Speaker Among wants tougher penalties for traffic offenders
In an effort to reduce the nation's high rate of traffic accidents, Speaker of the Parliament Rt Hon Anita Among has urged for the adoption of stricter legislation as well as modifications to the existing traffic laws and regulations.
In an effort to reduce the nation’s high rate of traffic accidents, Speaker of the Parliament Rt Hon Anita Among has urged for the adoption of stricter legislation as well as modifications to the existing traffic laws and regulations.
Speaker Among made the suggestion that stiffer sanctions would induce sanity among drivers in her opening statement to the plenary session, which ultimately led the House to engage in prolonged debate on the subject.
She stated that strict regulation of registration and licensing of boda boda operators, including awareness of traffic rules and regulations, was necessary. “Well aware that oftentimes road traffic accidents are also a result of the habits and behavior of road users,” she said.
She also suggested that frequent riding competency tests be required of riders as a condition of license renewal.
This is a result of some road users not receiving enough instruction before they drive or ride on Ugandan roads.
These people pick up riding in a matter of days and immediately hit the road. Before the permits are provided or renewed, these ought to be tested, according to Speaker Among.
She also suggested that the penalties set forth in respect to traffic crimes ought to be revised.
Speaker’s suggestion that careless driving significantly contributes to road accidents was defended by Dr. Charles Ayume, who also serves as chair of the Committee of Health, as he delivered the report on the country’s road carnage.
The majority of accidents in the nation are caused by irresponsible and reckless driving. 33,208 collisions were caused by reckless and irresponsible driving between 2019 and 2021, according to Dr. Ayume.
These sanctions come after the police made a video compilation of CCTV footage of boda boda accidents in Kampala and its environs available. The film displayed the numerous incidents that occurred in Kampala and the area last month. According to Uganda Police, boda boda accidents claimed the lives of 257 people in October.
