Kampa, May 20, 2024: A shocking report by the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety reveals that over 60 percent of road accident deaths in 2023 involved young people under 35. This demographic accounted for 2,862 of the total fatalities, highlighting the vulnerability of young people on Ugandan roads.
According to the report, more men are dying in accidents, accounting for approximately 74% of fatalities compared to 26% for females.
The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety also reported that a significant number of pedestrians died on Ugandan roads in 2023. Specifically, 632 pedestrians lost their lives while crossing the road. Additionally, 566 pedestrians were killed while walking along the road, and 145 pedestrians were killed while standing along the road. These statistics underscore the heightened risk pedestrians face in various road environments and highlight the urgent need for improved pedestrian safety measures.
Key Findings from the Report
The Annual Performance Report for 2023 provides a comprehensive statistical summary of road traffic incidents reported to the Uganda Police from January 1 to December 31, 2023. Some of the critical findings include:
Injuries by Road User Category:
- 16,736 people sustained serious injuries, a 10% increase from 2022.
- Most minor injuries were sustained by riders and passengers on motorcycles.
Victims by Age and Gender:
- Males constituted 74% of the fatalities compared to females at 26%.
- 67% of those seriously injured were males.
- More than half of the fatalities were individuals below the age of 35.
Crashes by Day of the Week:
- Saturdays saw the highest number of crashes (3,675), while Tuesdays had the fewest.
- Fatal crashes were most frequent on Sundays.
Crashes by Collision Type:
- Collisions with pedestrians accounted for 20% of all crashes.
- Rear-end collisions and sideswipes accounted for 17.85 percent and 14.3 percent, respectively.
Causes of Crashes:
- Over 52 percent of all road crashes were due to careless overtaking and speeding.
Monthly Trends and Time of Crashes
The report notes that December had the highest number of crashes (2,131), whereas January recorded the lowest (1,787). July was the deadliest month with 457 fatalities, while November had the fewest at 332. A significant 62% of all crashes occurred during daylight hours (0700–1859 hrs), with the peak time for crashes being between 1800 and 1959 hrs.
Vehicle Involvement in Crashes
The report indicates that a total of 37,449 vehicles were involved in crashes. Motorcycles accounted for 36% (13,386) of all crashes, followed by motorcars at 28% (10,398).
Efforts to Curb Road Accidents
In response to these alarming statistics, the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has undertaken various strategies to reduce road crashes. These include:
- Apprehending 528,025 offenders.
- Inspecting 11,351 crash vehicles, a 29% reduction from 2022.
- Testing 109,790 learner drivers, a 31% increase from 2022.
- Conducting 48 television talk shows, 475 radio talk shows, and 1,265 physical engagements in 2023.
Conclusion
The report underscores the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures in Uganda. The high number of fatalities among young people is particularly concerning and calls for immediate action to improve road safety education, enforce traffic laws more strictly, and improve the overall infrastructure to protect road users.
As the country grapples with these challenges, the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety remains committed to implementing strategies to significantly reduce road traffic incidents and save lives.
