By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
Distracted driving has led to loss of many lives in fatal accidents in not only in Uganda but also across the world.
With the advent of smartphones, destructed driving cases have gone up where many drivers are fond of texting while driving.
Police records indicate that at least five in 10 motorists use their phone while driving.
Whereas many think that the law only penalizes driving while speaking on the phone, according to Faridah Nampiima, the Traffic Police spokesperson, even talking on WhatsApp while driving could also land you into paying a shs100,000 fine.
“Those found using a hand held telephone while driving are liable to pay a shs100,000 fine. Even the Bluetooth and headsets are all part of the telephone and if found using them, you will be liable to pay the fine,”Nampiima says.
“If you need to communicate on WhatsApp, Twitter , facebook or any social media platform, do it while you have parked the vehicle. If you are found with that phone using it to do anything like WhatsApp, you are to pay the fine. If you use the phone to respond to a WhatsApp message and you are caught, the offence stands since you have used a hand held mobile for communication.”
Once an express penalty scheme ticket is issued, it takes 28 days and if they elapse, it attracts a 50% surcharge whereas an offender has the right to challenge the ticket issued to them.
Other Traffic offences and their Penalties;
Driving a vehicle without a valid licence/ out of class or expired- shs100,000
Driving a vehicle without valid motor third party- shs40,000
Driving a vehicle with obscured/covered/ tilted/ not clear/ without a numberplate- shs40,000
Vehicle when number plates are obsecured/ covered/ tilted/ not clear/without number plate- 40,000
Allowing a person not enrolled as a student in a driving school to drive or ride a vehicle or motorcycle- shs100,000
Driving or loading a vehicle in a dangerous manner to other road users – shs200,000
Using a vehicle in breach of a licence it was issued- shs100,000
Driving a vehicle in a dangerous mechanical condition-shs60,000
Driving under the influence of alcohol- shs200,000
Careless driving- shs100,000
Driving past the prescribed speed- shs200,000
Failure to provide right of way to emergency vehicles- shs100,000
Failure to stop at railway level crossing/ parking on railway line- shs40,000
Carrying more than one person on motorcycle- shs100,000
Carrying more passengers than prescribed and likely to interfere with safe driving – shs100,000
Leaving car parked while obstructing the road/ parking in road- shs100,000
Riding motorcycle without permit- shs40,000
Riding on road without helmet- shs40,000
Passenger in a vehicle not wearing seat belt- shs20,000
Using vehicle without reflectors or warning signs- shs100,000
Using vehicle to instruct learners without a valid certificate of fitness- shs200,000
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