Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-02-23 04:38:03
In 2023, Ugandan motorists were fined a total of at least Shs 41 billion by the traffic police for various offences and violations. This amount was collected through the issuance of 528,027 tickets to drivers and motorcyclists who were found guilty of driving vehicles in dangerous mechanical conditions, careless driving, riding without crash helmets, driving without a valid driving permit, and obstruction on roads by loading or offloading. Among these offences, driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous mechanical condition had the highest number of offenders with 99,068, followed by obstruction on roads by loading or offloading with 95,667 offenders, and driving without a valid driver’s permit with 77,430 offenders.
Lawrence Niwabiine, the acting director of Traffic Road and Safety, revealed that while the total value of the tickets issued was Shs 41.4 billion, there were some traffic offenders who never paid fines totaling about Shs 421.3 million. Road safety experts have differing views on the impact of the huge amount of money collected from traffic offenders. Susan Tumuhairwe, the programs coordinator at Safe Way Right Way (SWRW), believes that imposing penalties can encourage drivers and riders to become more responsible and careful road users. She emphasized that penalties, if well executed, can serve as a deterrent measure.
On the other hand, Frederick Kiapi, the project manager of Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA), argues that traffic penalties have little to contribute to road safety as all the penalty money goes to the consolidated fund, leaving little investment in road safety initiatives. The statistics show that most traffic offences were committed in November, with 53,684 cases recorded and a collection of Shs 3.77 billion. In contrast, December, which is a festive month, witnessed the lowest number of traffic offences, with only 25,921 tickets issued and a collection of Shs 1.388 billion.
The decrease in traffic offences during December was attributed to heightened operations against offenders by the police. Additionally, drivers tend to be more cautious during this time as many have their families on board and strive to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Niwabiine highlighted that most crashes and fatalities occur between 6 pm and 8 pm, emphasizing the importance of increased vigilance during these hours to prevent accidents.
Overall, the collection of over Shs 41 billion in traffic fines in 2023 highlights the significant role that penalties play in enforcing road safety regulations. While there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of these penalties, it is clear that they serve as a financial deterrent for traffic offenders and contribute to the overall goal of promoting safe and responsible driving practices on Ugandan roads.
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