The Road Safety Guide for the Festive Season.
Let safety be part of the celebration.
As the year comes to a close, the anticipation surrounding Christmas and New Year festivities leads to increased traffic on our roads. Families are gathering, shoppers are engaged in their activities, and a sense of celebration fills the atmosphere. However, this joy often comes with a hidden danger. According to the Annual Crime Report 2024, December was the deadliest month of the year, recording a staggering 2,445 road crashes.
The statistics are worrying. In 2024 alone, road crashes increased by 6.4%, claiming 5,144 lives, a 7% rise from the previous year. Increased travel, excitement, fatigue, alcohol consumption and reckless night-time movements all contribute to this spike. But these are not just numbers; they are mothers, fathers, children and friends who never made it to the Christmas dinner table.
Whether you are driving to the village, walking to the market or catching a bus, your safety is in your hands. Here is your essential, evidence-based guide to surviving the “silly season” on Ugandan roads.
- For the Drivers: Patience is Your Best Safety Gear
The primary factors contributing to incidents this season are excessive speed and reckless overtaking. In fact, careless overtaking and speeding were responsible for 44.5% of all accidents reported in 2024. The traffic police has announced that they will implement stricter enforcement measures this month, focusing on drunk driving and vehicles identified as being in dangerous mechanical condition (DMCs).
- Inspect Your Vehicle: Avoid becoming a statistic. In 2024, law enforcement apprehended 84,156 individuals for operating vehicles believed to be in dangerous mechanical condition. Before taking your family on the road, ensure that your tyres (including the spare), brakes, lights, and wipers are all functioning properly. A breakdown on the highway poses not just an inconvenience but also a significant risk.
- Zero Tolerance for Alcohol: Consuming alcohol affects both judgment and reaction times. Police checkpoints will be established, and breathalysers will be utilized. If you have been drinking, do not drive.
- Fight Fatigue: Fatigue can be a hidden danger during long journeys to the village. It is advisable to take a 15-minute break every two hours of travel. Arriving two hours late is far better than not arriving at all.
2. For Pedestrians: Be Seen, Be Safe
Pedestrians are incredibly vulnerable, accounting for 34% of all road deaths last year. With markets buzzing and towns crowded the risk is higher in December.
- Cross with Care: Statistics reveal that 44% of pedestrian fatalities occur while crossing the road. Always use designated walkways or zebra crossings where available. If you must cross a highway, wait for a clear gap, do not assume a speeding car can stop for you.
- Walk Against Traffic: Another 33.6% of pedestrians were killed while walking along the road. Always walk on the side facing oncoming traffic so you can see vehicles approaching and react if they swerve.
- Stay Alert: Put the phone away. Distracted walking is as dangerous as distracted driving.
- Don’t Drink and Walk: Alcohol affects your balance and judgment. Stumbling onto a busy road after a festive drink is a common cause of accidents.
3. For Passengers: You Have a Voice
You are not just cargo; you are a stakeholder in your own safety. Tragically, deaths among passengers in taxis increased by 55% in 2024.
- Speak Up: If your taxi or bus driver is speeding, overtaking blindly on a corner, or driving recklessly, raise your voice. You have the right to demand a safe journey.
- Buckle Up: Seatbelts are mandatory for a reason. In a crash, an unbuckled back-seat passenger becomes a “human missile,” injuring themselves and others.
4. For Boda-Boda Riders: Gear Up
Motorcycles remain the leading cause of traffic carnage. Riders and their passengers accounted for 47% of all road traffic deaths in 2024. The festive rush often tempts riders to overload or rush for more trips to make extra money.
- Helmet is Non-Negotiable: Head injuries are the primary cause of death for riders. Both the rider and the passenger must wear a helmet.
- One Passenger Only: Overloading compromises your balance and braking distance. Police arrested 3,549 riders last year for carrying more than one passenger, don’t be next.
- Be Visible: In the dust and chaos of December traffic, a reflector jacket can save your life by making you visible to trucks and cars.
General Travel Tips for December
- Plan Early: Avoid the last-minute rush. Panic leads to speeding.
- Weather Watch: December can bring unpredictable rain. Slow down on slippery and muddy roads; tyres lose grip easily on wet tarmac and in mud.
- Restrain Children: Keep children in the back seat, preferably in car seats or buckled up. The front seat is the most dangerous place for a child.
- Stay Calm: Road rage helps no one. Be patient with other road users who may be stressed or lost.
Final Reminder
The police and transport ministry have issued guidelines and increased operations, but safety ultimately starts with you. This December, let’s give our families the greatest gift of all: our presence.
Whether you are driving, riding, walking or travelling as a passenger, choose to be cautious. Choose to be responsible. Choose to stay alive.
Drive safe, stay alert, and have a Happy Holiday.
Emergency Contacts:
- Uganda Police Traffic & Road Safety Toll-Free: 0800 199 099
- National Emergency Call Centre: 999 or 112
