Police announce new crackdown as 71 are killed on roads in one week

Police have announced a new crackdown targeting motorists starting this week.

The operation was announced by traffic police spokesperson, Michael Kananura at police headquarters in Naguru.

“The operation will target all those without driving licences , those with expired licences and those driving out of class. It will also target boda boda riders without crash helmets, reflective jackets and those who violate rules of one way,” Kananura told journalists.

The traffic police spokesperson also announced the resumption of drink driving operations, especially in Greater Kampala Metropolitan Areas.

71 die in one week

The operation comes on the backdrop of  an increase in fatal accidents on Ugandan roads.

The traffic police spokesperson told journalists on Monday that at least 71 people were killed in the first week of February.

Kananura said the accidents also saw 333 people sustain injuries, noting that among the dead were 29 pedestrians, 28 motorcyclists, six passengers on motorcycles, four passengers in vehicles, two pedal cyclists and one driver.

“Crashes on motorcycles contributed to 47% of the total deaths, followed by death of pedestrians at 41%. The major causes of these accidents were careless overtaking at 26% of the total crashes, speeding at 21% and crashes due to following too close.”