Traffic and Road Act 1998 Amendment Bill: MPs support New traffic law to curb bad driving
Road accidents in Uganda are at a high rate with an estimate of 10 fatalities per day. It’s now believed that if the Traffic and Road Act 1998 Amendment Bill, is passed into law, it will reduce the increased road accidents.
Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure produced a report on the matter which received support from legislators during a debate on the floor of Parliament saying the proposals in the bill will help end bad driving practices such as speaking on the phone while driving, driving without permits and over speeding.
Legislators as well seconded the proposal in the bill that imposes string penalties against errant taxi operators and boba boda cyclists.
“Indiscipline among taxi drivers is unbecoming; we should put strict penalties on reckless ones and all of them should have permits,” Fredrick Angura, legislator Tororo South said.
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Angora asked the government to utilise the data from traffic cameras to punish errant drivers.
Hon Robert Franco Centenary, Kasese Municipality legislator said that most MPs have scratched vehicles simply because of the reckless boda boda cyclists who drive recklessly.
While Hon Kenneth Esiangu of Soroti County said that most of the accidents in the country are caused by reckless boda boda cyclists and government have remained speechless on the matter.
Now Parliament wants clear regulations governing drivers stated in the new law particularly motorcycles since they’ve turned into a common means of transport in the country.
Parliament as well supported the proposal to license instructors of driving school arguing that many drivers are not properly trained driving skills.
Some stakeholders in the motor vehicle repair industry said the proposed amendment is unfair, discriminatory and an attempt at double taxation of service providers.
But Hon Ssekitoleko says the move is aimed at road safety and to enable the government to curb down the prevailing theft of motor vehicles in the sector.
“The Committee, however, concurs with the proposed amendment since it is aimed at ensuring that repair facilities, manufacturers or dealers in new, second hand or reconditioned motor vehicles are regulated for enhanced road safety,” Ssekitoleko said.
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“This will enable the government to curb the rampant theft and sale of stolen motor vehicles in the country,” Ssekitoleko added.
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Hon Sarah Opendi, the State Minister for Minerals said many accidents have happened under traffic cameras and law enforcers just look on without taking action on the criminals.
“We have had accidents at traffic lights and nothing has been done,” Opendi said.
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The bill also seeks to introduce the requirement for persons engaged in the repair of motor vehicles, manufactures or dealers in new, second hand or reconditioned motor vehicles to be licensed by the Chief Licensing Officer.
