Road accidents are inevitable though their causes may vary accordingly with some factors that are both human and non human. Law enforcement, mechanical condition of the vehicles and the state of the roads are one of the major determinants of the frequency of road accidents in any country.
In Uganda, road crash frequency is a bit high with statistics indicating that there were 3407 deaths due to road accidents in 2019 according to the Annual Crime and Safety Report as read by Inspector general of Police (IGP) Okoth Ochola last year. This was a 2% increase from fatalities in 2018 that were 3147. Earlier this year, the minister for works and Transport Gen Edward Katumba Wamala announced that 3633 had died in road accidents that happened in 2020 which is also about 2% increase from those registered in 2019.
This simply means that there is a steadily increasing percentage of not less than 2% every year on the total number of fatalities registered annual. The total number of road crashes in 2019 were 12858 with 14690 causalities that are over 50 more than 12805 crashes registered in 2018.
From these statistics, we can conclude that about 35 road crashes happen everyday in Uganda leading to close to 42 causalities and 10 fatalities. Meanwhile, these numbers can be reduced with some measures takes since 85% of the causes are human factors but before that, let’s first take a look into the most common causes of these crashes.
Over speeding
According to the 2020 statistics, 36% of the total road crashes registered that year were as a result of over speeding. Over speeding is indeed the leader when causes of road accidents in Uganda are discussed, especially for fatal ones. However, this can be curbed so we reduce the number of people that perish in the hands of over speeding drivers. According to research, reducing speed by 5% can reduce number of fatalities by 30%. It is therefore advised to keep and follow speed limits of 30km/hr in developed centers as well as 80km/hr on highways.
The higher the speed the harder to control the car in case of any emergency. It is still preferable to arrive late than be declared “late.”
Reckless driving and driving under influence
Number two major cause of road accidents in Uganda comes with reckless driving as well driving under influence of either alcohol, or other drugs. The ministry of works and transport report from the year 2020 indicated that 181960 offenders were arrested in the year and fined under express penalty scheme. This simply means that close to 500 drivers daily are charged with irresponsible and dangerous driving.
Dangerous driving can include answering phone calls while driving, overtaking while climbing a hill, overtaking at a bend, and not allowing people overtake you while reckless driving includes tailgating, passing restricted areas illegally, running red lights and not letting a pedestrian pass even on a zebra crossing (98% of Ugandan drivers don’t respect Zebra Crossings) among others.
Then driving under the influence of alcohol or other psychoactive is another cause of road crashes in this lane of irresponsible driving. Toxins interfere with the cognitive abilities of the driver at certain levels in the blood and it has become rampant with commercial bus and truck drivers, and bodaboda (bike) riders as well as drivers of private cars especially during weekends.
Overloading
This used to be a regular feature on Ugandan roads before covid-19 pandemic popped in that led to enforcement on standard operating procedures in the transportation industry. This was common with commercial vehicles and goods carriers. We’ve all seen it at some point where a car loads goods in the vehicle to fill every available cargo space. Loading a vehicle in such a way can leave no room to maneuver the gears, letting alone having a good view of the back of the car using the rear view mirrors.
Poor road infrastructures
This was part of the report read by Katumba Wamala as potholes are one of the major causes of road accidents in Uganda. Most of the roads especially the feeders to major highways are alarmingly poor and in despair state. Some paved roads have developed potholes and these pose a major threat to new drivers in such areas. Some paved roads lack street lights, adequate road markings, as well as drainage, All these are threats.
Poor maintenance of the vehicle
This is a problem found with both commercial and private vehicles but is more prevalent with commercial vehicles including commuter taxis and heavy trucks. Though these are usually money making tools but most of their owners just mikl them instead of making constant repairs to keep them in good mechanical shape. Many commuter Taxi drivers hit the road with vehicles with faulty brakes and ignition switches, worn out tyres and get used to driving them that way. In such a scenario the problem arises in the middle of the road, just imagine what could happen next – a crash.
Weather
Though this can some times move hand in hand with poor road infrastructures, weather can pose a threat at some point in time. Weather conditions that limit visibility such as heavy rains and high density fog can lead to a car crash. However, drivers are always advised to keep away drving through such unfavorable conditions since is wise to find a safe place to park and get back on the road when visibility becomes clear.
Fatigue
This is also one of the most under looked causes of road crashes not only here in Uganda. It is natural for a body to get some rest daily and this can be more crucial after much work including driving for long hours non-stop. Once you don’t do so, the body itself will always demand it when the time comes and if you fail to give the it the necessary rest it deserves, fatigue sets in, then the body can forcefully take the rest as it does not like to be cheated.
How many scenarios have you heard of crashes as a result of the driver sleeping? If you are like me, then they are many. Just take a look when vehicles get stuck in traffic jam, you will see a number resting on their steering wheels for a nap and this is what we are talking about. Get someone else to drive you park the car aside and sleep if your body feels it can’t continue any more.
In conclusion, truth remains that a lot can be done to reduce the incessant road accidents in Uganda due to the fact that 80% of the causes are human-induced. Drivers and road users should decide to correct their errors in conforming with laid down traffic rules and regulations. Better road safety awareness can be done by the government through use of mass media like television, radio, and posters as well as social media to enlighten the public on critical road safety matters. With law enforcement, traffic police can Stiffen and put more strict penalties in place for traffic offenders. Improvement in road infrastructure will very well reduce the causes of road accidents in Uganda to the barest minimum. With the betterment in vehicle maintenance, the responsibility of this lies with the driver and car owners ensuring that cars are well maintained and taken care of thoroughly.
