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Death Penalty Proposed for Reckless Drivers

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Reckless drivers are increasingly becoming a matter of concern for the traffic police.

They are arrested, sometimes charged with a traffic offence, fined only to return and shatter a life of another passenger or motorist.

Now the Uganda Police have proposed a death penalty, as the toughest penalty for reckless drivers found liable for causing the tragic road accidents that result into deaths of people.

This would subject reckless drivers to life in prison without parole or even death.

The latest proposal stems from the ever increasing number of deaths on Uganda's roads. Police statistics show that more than 2000 people were killed on the roads in 2009 alone.

Some drivers in Kampala agree that a punitive measure has to be taken. But many others are strongly opposed to the latest proposal.
Anthony Sentongo, a driver at new park stage in Bwaise – argues that the death penalty for reckless drivers likens drivers to serial murderers who commit deaths intentionally. Sentongo says that deaths arising from accident are not intentional and therefore a death penalty is uncalled for.
Yahaya Musoke, another driver says police should instead put its focus on ensuring that the roads are good before it can propose what he describes as illogical punishments. Some Drivers in Kampala wondered who would be at fault if a person runs into the road and is knocked down.
//Cue in: "We do not...Cue out: ...would be wrong."// Lawrence Niwabine, the Regional Traffic Officer Kampala Metropolitan, explains that the current law is lenient to drivers who cause deaths.

He explains that Section 110 of the Traffic and Road safety act 1998 stipulates that anybody who causes death through reckless driving should be fined not more than 1.2million and not less than 1.8million. Niwabine says a tougher law must be put in place to serve as a deterrent to other road users.
//Cue in: "A law must be...Cue out: ...of murder."//

death penalty

Type Report
Freelance author No
Location Kampala, Uganda
Accepted on 2010-02-23 11:29:38

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