Traffic Police have announced that starting next year, they will extend enforcement of route charts to coaster and taxi drivers around the country.
A route chart details movement of the vehicle. It shows the estimated take offs and the expected time of arrival in the anticipated destinations as a move aimed at containing road carnage.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Traffic Police spokesperson, Michael Kananura said the Christmas season had few accidents mainly because they enforced route charts for bus drivers.
He said , owing to the success of this intervention, they are extending the same to taxi and coaster drivers.
“Effective next year, we will require route charts for taxi and coaster drivers. These will help us ensure drivers don’t overspeed. We shall work with the Ministry of Transport to ensure they are enforced,” Kananura said.
He explained that most accidents on highways are caused by fatigued drivers but noted that route charts minimize this by discouraging return journeys.
“With route charts, we minimize those drivers who make return journeys and in the end are fatigued which causes accidents.”
Badges
Kananura said they will also enforce badges for taxi and coaster drivers on top of route charts, as they are currently doing for bus drivers.
He said this is another way of reducing carnage on Ugandan roads.
“The process to qualify for badges is very rigorous and those with bad records on roads like speeding and causing crashes don’t qualify for badges. The badges will therefore help us eliminate those who are indisciplined on the road.”
