Prime
Motor accidents: Regular vehicle road worthiness inspection should be solution
Katherine Nabuzale
What you need to know:
- Best prevention ways: Make use of platforms and devise activities such as road safety campaigns targeted at specific audiences such as pedestrians, especially children, because road safety education is the best prevention. Adopt an inclusive road use strategy that encourages everyone to get involved in improving road safety. Introduction of stringent fines to those not using seatbelts.
Road accidents are a frequent occurrence on Ugandan roads and are actually the leading cause of deaths in the country. Often, these accidents are blamed on reckless driving as well as drivers and other road users indiscipline. Nonetheless, poor mechanical condition of vehicles cannot be downplayed as a significant factor in motor accidents.
One of the renown approaches to road safety and minimisation of accidents is promotion of regular vehicle inspection. It has been suggested that vehicle inspection can reduce 9.1 road accidents. And according to the European Commission on Mobility and Transport, a properly maintained and fully functioning vehicle meeting all safety requirements is less likely to be involved in a road accident.
In places such as Europe where road safety and protection of lives is paramount, there is periodic mandatory roadworthiness test. As the owner of a car, it is your responsibility to see to it that your vehicle is tested for road roadworthiness at regular intervals and approved within the stated deadline. And failure to comply results in heavy fines, which could even include losing one’s driving licence.
Vehicle inspection is a thorough periodic evaluation of a vehicle in order to ensure it conforms to all safety regulations. This is important for every vehicle that is out on the road. When you have your vehicle inspected, not only is this done to ensure that you are safe while driving around, but also that the passengers and everyone else using the road is safe as well.
A vehicle undergoes comprehensive testing to ensure that it is mechanically safe to drive and that the following are in proper working order: Tyres, lights, braking system, horn, wipers, air bags exhaust system, steering, Co2 Emissions test and any other relevant components. Additionally, the following should also be in the car and should be checked: A warning triangle, first aid kit and protective gloves.
If a vehicle fails the test, it is important that the repairs listed on the test paper are carried out as soon as possible. If the vehicle is submitted for retesting within one month, then a reduced fee is payable for the second inspection. Failure to comply within this deadline means the vehicle will have to undergo another inspection at full cost.
A roadworthy test must be carried out every two years on vehicles that are more than three years old. As regards the frequency of testing, vehicles with high mileage may be subject to more frequent testing as is the case for taxis and ambulances, passenger cars and commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
Tips to achieve road safety in Uganda
Have a clear vision. Taking Sweden as an example, they got vision zero where they have set a target to reduce road deaths to almost zero by a set deadline and hold all stakeholders concerned accountable.
Benchmarking with countries that have considerably achieved minimal road accidents is key because we can only learn much more from the best. Forming committed and dedicated partnerships as well as initiatives with one major focus of tackling rampant road accidents.
Make use of platforms and devise activities such as road safety campaigns targeted at specific audiences such as pedestrians, especially children, because road safety education is the best prevention. Adopt an inclusive road use strategy that encourages everyone to get involved in improving road safety.
Introduction of stringent fines to those not using seatbelts. Once upon a time, there was enforcement of seatbelts use in Uganda, but unfortunately, the enforcement was abandoned as fast as it was introduced! It is senseless to talk of road safety campaigns while ignoring the importance of seatbelts in vehicles and their proved ability to save lives.
Protection of children
Why are children not protected while riding in vehicles in Uganda? Under European Union law, all children must use approved child restraint systems that meet the stringent safety requirements. Children are the future generation and human resource of any country, therefore, passing and implementation of a similar law in Uganda as in the EU in regard to child safety in vehicles is long overdue.
Looking at countries that are intent on road safety, the lesson is clear. The current measures and level of safety on our roads is not good enough. More effort and goal-oriented strategies aimed at achievement of sustainable results is needed.
Road safety concerns everyone, hence implementation of adopted measures at all levels, especially at the political and economic levels, will lead to the much eluded change and discipline on the road.
Vehicle checks are fundamental to road safety. Technical defects contribute heavily to accidents. To this end, it is urgent that mandatory periodic road worthiness testing is embraced as one proved criterion of preventing road accidents, saving lives and minimising costs.
Ms Nabuzale is a Ugandan living in Germany.
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