Ugandan Law Makers Call for Restrictions on Used Car Importation

Ugandan legislators on Friday urged the government to consider putting restrictions on the importation of used cars which are not only environmentally harmful but are also responsible for many accidents on Ugandan roads.

The legislators made the call while they were on Friday debating a statement by the Prime Minister Professor Apollo Nsibambi concerning increasing tragic accidents on the country’s highways.

Many parliamentarians expressed concern that the used cars that are imported into the country do not have speed-governors which is a requirement to set speed limit for vehicles. According to the report presented to parliament, accidents are caused by speeding.

The Prime Minister revealed that government investigations had shown that the accidents are mainly attributed to reckless driving and speeding, poor mechanical conditions of vehicles, overloading of passengers and goods, absence of speed governors, violation of traffic rules especially by taxi/mini bus drivers and motor cycle operators driving while they are drunk and failure to use seat belts by passengers.

He said that the government was undertaking systematic steps to curb the increasing tragic accidents on the roads and loss of life.

The PM informed the House that the Inspector General of Police has deployed more traffic police officers on the roads in the city and on the highways and that they are enforcing the traffic laws and regulations and also helping to reduce traffic jams.

The police in Kampala have this week been carrying operations that netted many vehicles without seatbelts, speed governors, as well as those in questionable mechanical conditions.

The Prime Minister appealed to the drivers to respect the traffic rules and regulations. He also called upon those traveling by public transport, such as buses and taxis to report to the police violators of traffic laws if the rate of accidents is to be reduced drastically.

Source African Press Agency

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