Police warn motorists as schools reopen for third term

The return of learners to school for the third term is expected to increase traffic on Uganda’s roads, particularly around schools and major highways, with the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety warning motorists to exercise greater caution to protect children.
Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson, Michael Kananura said the increased movement of learners during the school reopening period could expose children, who are among the most vulnerable road users, to greater danger.
“Children may not accurately judge the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle, so motorists must exercise extra caution, particularly around schools and pedestrian crossings,” Kananura said.
He urged drivers to slow down in areas with high concentrations of learners and avoid reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and distracted driving, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Kananura also called on parents and school administrators to ensure children are transported in safe and authorised vehicles.
He said school vehicles should be roadworthy, properly licensed, driven by qualified drivers and should not be overloaded.
Schools, he added, should sensitise learners about road safety and properly organise pick-up and drop-off points to minimise risks to children.
Learners have also been urged to use designated pedestrian crossings where available, avoid distractions while using the road and, where there is no pavement, walk facing oncoming traffic.
Kananura said learners should look right, left and right again before crossing the road and exercise patience around moving traffic.
The warning comes as schools across the country reopen for the third term, a period that typically brings increased movement of learners and vehicles on the roads. Similar road-safety warnings have previously been issued by Traffic Police during school reopening periods.
Kananura said road safety requires the cooperation of motorists, parents, schools and learners.
“There is no journey that is more important than a child’s life,” he said.