Jimmy Osuret, a Research Associate at the Trauma, Injuries, and Disability Unit (TRAID) at Makerere University, has found that strategically placing traffic wardens in school zones significantly improves children’s safety.
Presenting his findings during his PhD defense at the Makerere University School of Public Health auditorium, Osuret revealed that wardens increased safe road-crossing behavior among children by 70%.
“Traffic wardens play a vital role in ensuring children cross roads safely, especially given their limited ability to judge when it’s safe to cross,” Osuret emphasized.
In September 2024, as the third school term began, the Uganda Police issued a warning to motorists in school zones after recording alarming statistics: 239 school-going children aged five to eighteen had been involved in road crashes during the first half of the year.
Osuret four-year study revealed that the presence of wardens increased safe road-crossing behavior among children and urged policymakers to officially recognize the role of traffic wardens in school zones.
The study also included the installation of cameras near 89 primary schools across Kampala to observe road-use behaviors. The schools were divided into two groups—those with traffic wardens and those without.
Osuret noted that while traffic guidelines stipulate speed limits of 30 km/h in school areas, these limits are frequently violated by motorists.
Dr. Wilson Winston Muhwezi, a lecturer in Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health at Makerere University, stressed the importance of designing road systems that account for children’s developmental limitations, as their judgment about when it is safe to cross roads can often be flawed.
Data from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) recorded 17 fatalities and 57 injuries among children aged one to nine years old in 2022. Although recent statistics were unavailable, experts believe the numbers are rising. Responding to Osuret’s findings, they called on KCCA to train traffic wardens and provide them with essential gear, such as reflector jackets, to enhance their visibility and recognition on the road.
Focus group discussions with wardens revealed that those currently operating in school zones are facilitated with daily stipends ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 Ugandan shillings.
Experts hope that implementing Osuret’s recommendations will significantly enhance road safety for children in school zones and reduce the number of road crashes involving young learners.
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