The traffic police have arrested 741 motorcyclists found riding without licenses and crash helmets. Traffic police spokesperson, Michael Kananura, said the operations are intended to minimize road crashes.
Police believe that bodaboda riders without driving licenses have not gone through driving schools where they can acquire basic knowledge of road regulations. A rider who doesn’t have a driving license, according to police, is unable to read and interpret road signs.
Kananura adds that many bodaboda riders dying every day on the roads could have survived if they were wearing crash helmets. Uganda loses six people in Bodaboda road crashes every day. These include four riders and their two passengers.
“Last week we lost 25 people in motorcycle crashes. This is why we are requiring riders and their passengers to wear crash helmets. Many people are on the roads but they have never gone through a driving school. We shall continue with the operation targeting riders without crash helmets and driving permits,” Kananura said.
Other than the six people who die in motorcycle crashes every day, the country also records more than 20 victims of two-wheel accidents on a daily basis.
Susan Tumuhairwe the Safe Way Right Way Programmes Coordinator said many bodaboda riders are dying yet they could have survived if they were wearing crash helmets.
Police have also arrested 277 boda boda riders for not wearing reflector jackets. Ninety-three have been arrested for carrying two passengers on a single motorcycle.
Ibrahim Marijani says some of his colleagues have died in bodaboda crashes because they were not wearing crash helmets. “I have two of my colleagues who have died in bodaboda crashes and some are in a vegetative state. They cannot remember their names and they cannot tell where they are. We need regular sensitization programs on road safety,” Marijani said.
Meanwhile, police in partnership with VIVO Energy, Safe Way Right Way have so far trained 1200 bodaboda riders on road safety with a focus on wearing crash helmets, and reflector jackets and acquiring driving licenses.
URN.