POLICE CRIME REPORT: 20,394 road traffic crashes were recorded in 2022

The Directorate of Traffic Police registered 20,394 road traffic crashes that occurred between January to December in the year 2022; 61% have been mainly attributed to reckless driving.

According to the Directorate, 78,693 offenders were registered in 2022 for reckless driving. This number has increased from 55,751 offenders registered in 2021.

Addressing the press on traffic and road safety issues, the acting Director of Traffic and Road Safety, SCP Lawrence Niwabiine, highlighted that issues concerning road safety are well-spoken about but less understood by road users.

He, therefore, asked that solutions concerning road safety should be linked to other key sectors that promote the economy of the country to reduce road accidents.

“Intoxication is one of the other reasons for road accidents. If we continue to lose people below the age of 35, it leads to a reduction of labour who are strong and energetic,” he added.

Niwabiine added that traffic has done enough research, citing the northern bypass as one of the highly risky roads in the county.

He asked that it would be better for 2 wheelers like motorcycles to be removed from such roads, something he says will curb road crashes by the end of the year.

“We have been dealing with speed by putting up checkpoints, using patrols and fika salama operations. But this time round, we should be supported by automated enforcement like the use of mobile speed cameras, which are controlled by police,” he noted.

According to the directorate, the highest numbers of crashes were registered between 1900hrs and 1959hrs whereas the lowest were recorded between 0200hrs and 0259hrs.

By the end of the year, out of the 20,394 crashes registered last year, 3,901 were fatal, 10,776 were serious and 5,717 were minor.

Overall, there has been a 17% increase in the number of crashes reported in 2022, from 17,443 crashes in 2021 to 20,394 in 2022.