On the first Tuesday of this month, while travelling from the Bwaise interchange on the Northern bypass, specifically heading to the Nambole Interchange, we encountered an unexpected traffic jam near the last curve before the interchange. It quickly became apparent that the queue likely originated at the interchange or possibly from Bweyogerere, which is a common destination for many drivers in this area.
As we approached the curve, I noticed that the driver of the double-cabin pick-up truck had to brake suddenly from a speed of about 80 km/h. We managed to come to a safe stop, and I was grateful for that. However, I immediately started to worry that a larger vehicle, like a heavy goods truck or large bus, following closely behind us, might not be able to stop in time. The size and weight of those vehicles, combined with the possibility that their drivers might be distracted, could lead to a more dangerous situation.
Thanks to divine intervention, the increasing number of cars behind us managed to come to a stop safely. However, as we continued moving forward at a slow pace, we reached the final curve of this section 45 minutes later and noticed that a Volkswagen Golf hatchback had been crushed by a lorry that couldn’t stop in time. The impact from behind caused the hatchback to collide with another truck in front of it. As a result, it sustained damage to both the rear, which shattered the back windshield, and the front, and crumpled the hood.
During my postgraduate studies in transportation engineering, I became aware of the potential dangers we had narrowly avoided. I observed many accidents while moving on such freeways abroad, since they are with numerous freeways and expressways, where sudden traffic queues often form, forcing vehicles travelling at high speeds to halt abruptly. This experience made me grateful. On straight stretches of road, attentive drivers may spot these queues early enough to brake in time, especially on gently sloping sections.
However, on curved segments, the situation is much more hazardous due to limited visibility, which can prevent drivers from recognising the impending danger until it’s too late. However, these developed countries, which boast extensive freeways and expressways, have attempted to allay the likelihood of accidents by implementing systems that alert drivers to potential dangers, such as traffic queues, at least half a kilometre in advance. They achieve this through digital screens that display real-time conditions ahead or updated speed limits; failing to comply with these limits may result in fines.
Additionally, emergency response teams on specific expressways place warning signs about traffic slowdowns or accidents from considerable distances. One of the most cost-effective solutions would be to deploy traffic police to slow down vehicles before they reach these congested areas. Without such measures, the risk of accidents may increase, and many lives could be at stake, especially considering that a significant portion of the vehicles on these routes are heavy goods trucks.