Uganda Ministry Unveils School Zone Safety Push with 30kph Speed Limit Proposal

In a bid to enhance the safety of students, Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport has rolled out a comprehensive set of guidelines for school zones. This initiative aims to curb the alarming rate of road accidents involving children, especially in busy areas surrounding educational institutions.

A key proposal within these new guidelines is the implementation of a 30-kilometer-per-hour speed limit in designated school zones. This measure is part of a broader strategy to create safer environments for learners as they commute to and from school.

Officials emphasized that the framework will guide the nationwide establishment of these safer school zones. This includes the installation of crucial infrastructure such as pedestrian crossings, visible signposts, and protective barriers to shield pupils from potential traffic hazards. The Ministry is collaborating with traffic police and partners under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) to enforce the proposed speed limit, which will also apply to other built-up areas.

Local governments are expected to play a vital role in identifying priority areas for intervention. Schools that require specific road safety measures, like speed humps or improved pedestrian crossings, are encouraged to submit formal requests to the Ministry and local authorities for assessment and approval.

Authorities have also issued stern warnings to motorists, boda boda operators, school administrators, and parents, urging them to abandon reckless road behavior. Human error, including speeding, drunk driving, and overloading, is cited as the primary cause of nearly 95 percent of road crashes. Instances of riders carrying excessive numbers of children on a single motorcycle have been highlighted as particularly dangerous.

These efforts build upon previous road safety campaigns that have engaged thousands of pupils, distributing educational materials and promoting safer road-use habits. The campaign underscored the necessity of integrating education, technology, and partnerships to foster a generation that prioritizes road safety.

The new guidelines address the urgent need for better pedestrian infrastructure around schools, particularly in bustling urban centers. The focus remains on creating a safer journey for every child on Uganda’s roads.

Read more at: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-unveils-school-zone-safety-guidelines-with-proposed-30kph-speed-limit-5471822