By Sabir Musa

Arua

Drivers and other road users in Arua City have welcomed the recommendation by government to allow use of Breathalyzer for testing alcohol level consumed by motorists while on road.

This is aimed at reducing road traffic accidents caused by drivers under influence of alcohol and other substances.

Although the implementation is yet to start in West Nile, the Regional Traffic Officer, Sam Chekwel cautions drivers on dangers of driving under influence of alcohol. “The main aim is to deter people from driving under influence of alcohol because at that moment your brain is impaired, you can’t make judgment as you are driving” he cautioned.

In July this year, the traffic accident report by Uganda Police Force indicated 432 accidents recorded with 97 being fatal, 202 were serious and 133 were minor as many drivers drive under influence of alcohol.

A driver in Arua City, Mustafa Shamus makes appeal that the exercise of testing driver should also extend to motorcycle riders if such cases are to be controlled. “This can help because many drivers are drunkards. I even want police to help us and extend to bodaboda riders because many of them are reckless” Mustafa appeals.

Meanwhile, General Secretary Ocea Taxi Operators Association, Zubair Galumgbe proposes tough measures against drivers found guilty. “If such a person is found guilty, his license should be revoked or be suspended for about 3-6 months until he recovers” the Secretary suggested. 

A recent report by World Health Organization ranked Uganda first in alcohol consumption on African continent and warns that it is the underlying factor for more than 200 diseases and injuries.