A total of 61 people have lost their lives and 308 sustained injuries in different motor accidents that occurred within the past week across the country.
SP Michael Kananura, the Traffic Police Spokesperson, while addressing the media on Monday, September 16, 2024, during the weekly security briefing held at the Police Headquarters, Naguru, said those who died include 24 pedestrians, 17 motorcyclists, 09 passengers on motorcycles, 05 drivers, and 02 others.
According to Kananura, the pedestrians and motorcyclists caused most of the deaths, totaling up to 82%.
“Motorcyclists alone accounted for 43%, pedestrians accounted for 39%, drivers 8%, and the vehicle watch pants 6%, Kananura said.
Kananura said unsafe overtaking contributed to 37% of the total crashes, followed by speeding with 22% of the total incidents.
Kananura cited the recent fatal road crash that claimed the lives of two people and injured 10 others on September 9th, 2024, at Maya on the Kampala-Masaka Highway to unquestionable overtaking.
He further explained that another crash that claimed five lives that occurred on September 9, 2024, along the Kampala-Mityana highway involving a motor vehicle (UBM 300Y) and two other motorcycles was caused by the reckless riding of motorcycles.
Kananura cautioned road users on unsafe overtaking, a vice that has continued to claim the lives of people on the roads, especially on blind corners or curves, near pedestrian crossings or schools, on narrow or winding roads, and in areas with poor visibility.
“In areas, especially where there is fog or mist or when it is raining, one should not overtake without checking mirrors and blind spots, Kananura added.
On enforcement, he revealed that last Friday, September 13, 2024, a total of 72 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in three divisions of the Kampala metropolitan area, including Katwe, Wandegeya, and Jinja Road.
He mentioned that the enforcement operation conducted the previous week targeting drivers without licenses resulted in the arrest of 451 drivers, of whom 59 were without licenses, one with a forged license, 179 operating with expired licenses, and 220 operating outside classes.
