The Directorate of Traffic & Road Safety has sounded the alarm as the rainy season begins, urging all motorists to adopt heightened caution on the roads to prevent accidents and save lives.
With hazardous weather conditions such as fog, mist, and flooded roads becoming increasingly common, the Directorate’s guidelines underscore the shared responsibility of road safety in a bid to reduce the alarming spike in wet-season accidents.
As the skies open and rainfall becomes a daily feature, the Directorate of Traffic & Road Safety has issued a timely weather alert. Highlighting the increased dangers posed by slippery roads and reduced visibility, the Directorate has provided motorists with critical safety guidelines to navigate these conditions.
According to Sp. Kananura Michael, the Directorate’s Chief Liaison Officer, the seasonal challenges demand extra vigilance. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he emphasized. “A few small adjustments to how we drive can make the difference between life and death on the road.”
The guidelines call for basic yet life-saving measures such as:
Vehicle maintenance: Regularly check tires, brakes, and lights.
Adjusting speeds: Slow down and maintain a safe following distance.
Flood awareness: Avoid driving through flooded areas to prevent stalling or being swept away.
Visibility enhancement: Use headlights and ensure windshield wipers are functional.
Defensive driving: Refrain from overtaking, especially when visibility is poor.
Motorists are also advised to pull over and wait out the rain if conditions become too dangerous.
The alert comes as Uganda faces a seasonal surge in road accidents attributed to wet weather, with many stemming from negligence and failure to adapt to adverse conditions. The Directorate’s proactive stance aims to reduce these numbers and foster a culture of cautious and responsible driving.
The message is clear: with the roads transformed into potential danger zones, adherence to these guidelines could be the key to ensuring that every journey ends safely.
