The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Unsafe overtaking has been identified as a major factor contributing to last week’s devastating road crashes, which claimed 76 lives across Uganda. According to the Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, most of the fatal incidents between August 11 and August 17 occurred when drivers and motorcyclists attempted to overtake at dangerous spots.
Michael Kananura, the traffic police spokesperson, highlighted the recklessness of motorists and motorcyclists who neglect their safety and that of other road users while overtaking. “People overtake at blind spots. This has been one of the major reasons we are having deadly head-on collisions,” Kananura stated.
The alarming statistic of 76 fatalities in just six days was further compounded by another tragic accident in Kyazanga, Lwengo District, on Monday morning, where a crash claimed eight more lives. Twaha Kasirye, the Greater Masaka Regional Police spokesperson, reported that the collision involved a bus and a Fuso truck, caused by the bus driver overtaking at high speed.
“Six people died on the spot. We have been told that the driver was speeding and overtaking carelessly. We have always warned drivers against speeding and overtaking carelessly, but this call hasn’t been heeded,” Kasirye remarked.
Kananura explained that overtaking at unsafe spots accounted for 31% of the total road deaths recorded over the six-day period. Speeding was the second leading cause, contributing to 25% of the fatalities. Among those who perished were 24 motorcyclists, 19 pedestrians, 16 passengers on motorcycles, five drivers, five pedal cyclists, and four other victims who were struck while going about their daily activities.
One of the most significant crashes of the week occurred on August 17, 2024, at Kiwawu village on Mityana Road, where five people lost their lives. The accident involved a Toyota Ipsum (UAS 999R) and a Fuso box body truck (UBM 511K). Police investigations revealed that the Ipsum driver, attempting to avoid a pothole at high speed, collided with the oncoming Fuso truck. The driver and four occupants of the Ipsum died on the spot.
In 2023, Uganda saw a total of 4,806 road crash fatalities, averaging 13 deaths per day. The increasing trend of unsafe driving practices, particularly overtaking at dangerous points and speeding, continues to be a significant threat to road safety in the country.
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