A total of 93 vehicles have been impounded by police in a crackdown on cars with illegal sirens, roof lights and modified lights.
According to the traffic police spokesperson, Michael Kananura, the crackdown carried out at the police stations of Wandegeya, Katwe, Kabalagala, Kajjansi, Kawempe, Jinja Road, Kiira Division, Kiira road and CPS also targeted drivers violating one way rules.
“Statements of the drivers have been recorded and they will appear to court as per the provisions of The Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 as variously amended and its regulations,” Kananura said.
He said the operation will continue until there is sanity on the road.
“Therefore, the police are warning all drivers or owners of vehicles in the aforementioned categories to comply and remove them before impoundment.”
Ugandan roads especially during the rush hour experience the worst form of impunity from motorists with sirens, roof lights and led lights who force other users off the roads in a bid to beat the jam.
A number of private citizens, those working in government or those close to them have of late been using blaring sirens and led lights to assume a non- existent right of way and on many occasions they have caused accidents.
Section 123 of Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998, gives the right of way to emergency vehicles defined as “a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant for the purpose of the police, ambulances, motor vehicles of armed forces and such other vehicles that may be designated by the minister by a statutory order.
According to regulation 5(2) of Traffic and Road Safety Regulations, 2004, the right of way is given to only the convoys of the President, Vice President, Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speaker and Prime Minister but there are also other vehicles authorized to have the right of way including ambulances carrying patients, police vehicles and fire brigade trucks rushing for emergencies.
Police has on many occasions announced similar operations but they have lasted a few weeks.
