Numbers don’t support drink driving crackdown 

In the wake of an upsurge in road crashes across the nation, the ministry of Health on August 11, 2023, advocated for the re-introduction of breathalyzers.

This recommendation primarily targets curbing accidents arising from drink driving. The Annual Police Crime Reports, as reviewed by The Observer, high-light an array of factors causing road mishaps. Records show that most accidents occur due to careless and reckless driving, followed by the dangerous mechanical condition (DMC) of vehicles.

Intriguingly, driving under the influence of alcohol, while a significant concern, ranks as one of the least causes of accidents. Dr Henry Mwebesa, the director-general of Health Services at the ministry of Health, sheds light on Uganda’s concerning alcohol consumption patterns. As per his statement, Ugandans top the list of alcohol consumers in Africa, which results in a considerable number of individuals getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

To mitigate the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ministry of Health, back in 2020, advised against the use of breathalyzers. Dr Mwebesa points out that this measure, although temporary, coincided with a sharp rise in road traffic accidents in the subsequent years, 40 percent of which tragically turned out to be fatal.

Highlighting the omnipresent risk of drink driving, Dr Mwebesa emphasized its potential dangers to everyone, including sober drivers, pedestrians, and especially vulnerable groups like children. He assured that the associated risk of Covid-19 transmission via breathalyzers is minimal, given that the Uganda Police Force (UPF) will employ individual, sealed, and disposable tubes for each test.

Recent statistics from Annual Crime Reports

• 2022: A total of 20,394 accidents, with 3,901 proving fatal. Notably, fatal accidents saw a slight rise from 3,757 in 2021. The primary cause was attributed to the mechanical condition of vehicles, with a staggering 92,029 cases. Driving under alcohol influence caused 124 accidents, a decline from 193 the previous year.

• 2021: A sharp spike in road accidents was observed, rising from 12,249 in 2020 to 17,443. Out of the 3,757 fatal crashes in 2021, only 31 were due to alcohol influence. There were 180,305 casualties, of which a mere 103 were directly linked to alcohol-induced driving.

• 2020: The year saw a slight dip in crashes from 2019, recording 12,249 incidents. Of the 3,269 fatal accidents, only 48 were due to alcohol-influenced driving.

In sum, while driving under the influence of alcohol remains a concerning issue, the more pressing challenges lie in tackling careless driving habits and ensuring vehicles’ good mechanical conditions. As the country moves towards the reintroduction of breathalyzers, it is imperative to address these multifaceted causes holistically.