By Our Reporter
Vivo Power Uganda has launched a defensive driving coaching programme to cowl public transport operators. This initiative goals to reskill drivers and boda boda riders in defensive driving expertise and put together them for the heightened journey exercise in the course of the festive season as a part of the Nationwide Street Security Consciousness month.
Defensive driving focuses on secure car operation to cut back dangers brought on by human error, environmental situations, or the actions of different street customers.
In response to the 2023 Annual Police Crime Report, Uganda recorded a mean of 13 street crash fatalities each day, marking a slight enhance in comparison with earlier years. Susceptible teams like pedestrians and motorcyclists stay essentially the most affected, constituting 36% and 33% of fatalities, respectively. The report attributes many incidents to reckless driving, dashing, overloading, and insufficient car upkeep.
Talking on the launch of the coaching periods not too long ago, Valery Okecho, Company Communications Supervisor at Vivo Power Uganda, highlighted the necessity for behavioral change amongst street customers. “A better proportion of street crashes globally are attributable to human error. With the proper interventions, equivalent to these coaching workshops, we will considerably scale back the toll of street crashes. Vivo Power Uganda is dedicated to supporting authorities efforts to boost public transport security and make sure that extra Ugandans attain their locations safely.” He famous.
The reliance on public transport, together with buses, minibuses, and bikes (boda bodas), underscores the urgency of enhancing street security. Statistics from WHO point out that low- and middle-income international locations, together with Uganda, bear the best burden of road-related fatalities, with a mortality fee of 29 per 100,000 folks.
Okecho additionally emphasised the accountability of public transport operators, saying, “within the fingers of drivers lie the lives of many passengers. By reskilling these operators in defensive driving, we purpose to save lots of lives throughout this festive season and past.”
SP Micheal Kananura, the spokesperson for the Uganda Police Directorate of Visitors and Street Security stated, “As we strategy the festive season, this defensive driving coaching workshop is an important initiative that’s each well timed and important to advertise street security, which is essential in saving lives and lowering street crashes by means of accountable street use. I commend Vivo Power Uganda for his or her sponsorship of this impactful program. I urge all individuals and all motorist at massive, to embrace the teachings shared right here and apply them on our roads. Protected driving will not be solely a private accountability but in addition a cornerstone of nationwide growth.”
So far, Vivo Power Uganda has educated over 5,000 boda boda riders and drivers and facilitated street security consciousness packages in 150 faculties, growing hundreds of security ambassadors. The corporate’s street security consciousness campaigns, equivalent to ‘Tweddeko,’ imparted safer street use expertise to the general public, whereas its ‘HeadsUp’ initiative has distributed over 2,000 free little one security helmets to high school kids in over 50 public faculties countrywide.
Vivo Power Uganda continues to leverage its experience by using Journey Administration techniques, monitoring driver behaviour by means of onboard computer systems, and selling finest practices in street security by means of reward-based initiatives.
The subsequent part of coaching will goal drivers working alongside the Western, Northern, and Southwestern freeway routes out of the capital metropolis.
