Gov’t tasked to improve awareness of highway code rules

By Odwori Brian,

NATIONAL

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The government of Uganda has been asked to consider creating more awareness to the public on the highway code rules in order to reduce on the increasing number of accidents claiming the people’s lives in the country.

This call was made by the Uganda People’s Congress spokesperson Sharon Arach Oyat while addressing the media at their party headquarters at Uganda house on Wednesday.

“The traffic police should bring back teaching of highway codes to all drivers and riders as it will help to reduce on the accidents.” Arach said

Arach advised that awareness on highway code can be created by printing of traffic laws and supplying them to the public on free basis, holding seminars to educate all road user on dangers of breaking traffic laws, putting traffic signposts on all roads and teaching people the meaning of different road signs such that they are well interpreted.

“Highway codes like zebra crossing, traffic lights should be taught to people as it is the only way to curb fatal accidents that claim lives of our people everyday” Arach advised.

The 2022 Annual Crime Report, indicate that the country registered 20,394 cases of road accidents in 2022 compared to 17,443 registered the previous year.

Out of every 100 crashes, 22 people died while 61 percent of all accidents were as a result of reckless driving, the police said.

“The issue of general knowledge and understanding of the Highway code by all road users is very paramount which should be given utmost attention,” she said.

UPC argues of highway codes should be printed on Students’exercise books and other special booklets.