{UAH} Ugandan launches Operation Fiika Salaama to reduce road carnage

Folk;

I hope these measures comes with some teeth, for our roads have turned into mass killers.

Aggressive drivers get carried away on smooth roads, and sudden become gazelles of the highways. Trouble is, those highways, while smoother today than in the past, are still mostly narrow, 2-way roads. 

And with animals and pedestrians crossing at unmarked sections, a speeding matatu doesn't have the time to safely pass other road users.

Driver fatigue is a major cause of auto accidents, including solo accidents. 

Commercial drivers must be off the steering wheels for at least 10 hours before starting another journey. These drivers must always carry a government-issued accountability forms that detail their pre-trip records.

Pre-Trip records must show:

1) The conditions of the vehicle at the start of the trip - tire pressure/treads, AC systems, headlights, windshields, etc

2) Their previous log off time - when they last drove. If found to be under the 10-hour window, the driver is removed from driving and the bus or matatu is impounded.

3) Itinerary - In California, a commercial driver may not drive nonstop for 4 hours; a 30-minute break is required on any trip that last more than 4 hours.

So, Uganda traffic police has its work cut out, but these first steps should be supported.

Pojim

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Operation-Fiika-Salaama-campaign-to-reduce-road-carnage-launched/688334-3342526-4h2w2cz/index.html