Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-18 19:19:13
The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety of the Police has initiated a crackdown on motorists and cyclists who are operating vehicles without valid driving and riding licenses. This crackdown, announced on Monday, aims to target errant individuals on roads and highways throughout the country. A driving license is a legal document that authorizes an individual to operate a motorized vehicle on public roads, such as motorcycles, cars, and buses.
The spokesperson of the directorate, Michael Kananura, emphasized that all drivers without valid licenses should refrain from using the roads beyond Monday. Those without licenses, those with licenses that are out of class, and those with expired licenses will all be targeted in this operation. Offenders will be issued Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) tickets in accordance with the 2013 EPS regulations. Additionally, operations will also focus on boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) without reflective jackets, riding licenses, and crash helmets. Enforcement activities against drink-driving will continue, along with ongoing road safety awareness campaigns.
Under Section 35 of the Traffic and Road Safety Amendment Act, 2020, individuals are prohibited from driving any class of motor vehicle without a valid driving license. Offenders can face fines up to Shs600,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both, as outlined in Section 176 of the same Act.
According to the 2023 Annual Police Crime and Road Safety report, reported incidents of road crashes increased by 16 percent from 20,394 in 2022 to 23,608 in 2023. Of these, 4,179 crashes were fatal, 12,487 were serious, and 6,942 were minor. The number of casualties from road crashes also rose from 21,473 in 2022 to 24,728 in 2023, representing a 15 percent increase.
Speeding and careless overtaking were identified as the primary causes of road crashes in 2023, accounting for 50 percent of all incidents. The Police will continue to enforce road safety regulations and conduct operations to reduce the number of road crashes and ensure the safety of all road users. It is crucial for all motorists and cyclists to comply with licensing requirements and adhere to traffic laws to prevent accidents and promote a safe road environment for everyone.
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