Driving school owners, managers cautioned on road carnage

MUHAMAD MATOVU

The acting commissioner, Inspectorate of Vehicles Hajji Kirungi Suleiman has called upon owners and managers of driving schools to be careful while training drivers in a bid to improve on road safety in Uganda

Speaking to the owners and managers of driving schools on Friday at Inspectorate of Vehicles headquarters in Naguru, Kirungi said serious action should be taken to reduce and eliminate road accidents

"We are on a very noble cause. We are serving humanity that we must take as serious as possible. So, if you test and give a certificate to somebody who is not qualified and doesn’t deserve to be a driver then you are telling him to go and knock dead people “he said.

He stated if a person is not qualified, he or she can end up knocking someone dead.

He urged the owners of driving school to execute their duties with love, passion, extra care and seriousness as this  will help to reduce road carnage

“Imagine how many people have lost their lives because of bad drivers on the road," ACP Kirungi stated

He added that road safety is an indicator of development and a lot of money is lost in accidents.

"Secondly, we are doing a national duty. Road safety is one of the indicators of development “he added

He told the participants that too much money is lost when there is an accident in terms of compensation, treating the sick, repairing cars,

He said the money spent is much compared to those who die of malaria and other diseases

He urged all drivers across the country to think deeply about road safety.

"We are trying to re-brand ourselves as Inspectorate of Vehicles and you are key in this process hence we are setting up some guidelines on testing standards," he explained.

He told owners of driving schools not to look at schools as a business but a calling that should be appreciated.

"Do not do this as business. It’s a calling that we should appreciate and serve the nation better. If you produce good drivers definitely the carnage on our roads will also reduce," he said.