7 reasons why you can be fined

7 reasons why you can be fined

7 reasons why you can be fined,  Renting a car is one of the requirements for achieving a memorable Ugandan safari experience for many (if not all travelers) and sadly, it might sometimes mean dealing with fines and even penalties at some point. However, if you know the different reasons why you can be fined, you can find a way to avoid them. Whereas fines for driving under the influence (of alcohol or drugs), speeding, and causing danger for yourself and other road users are well known, there are several of those that you might not be aware of. Therefore, our article has collated the 7 reasons why you can be fined (those you know and those you don’t), to help you keep safe on the road and free from fines. They include;

Fine for speeding : 7 reasons why you can be fined

Driving at high speed is one of the prerequisites for you being fined. It is therefore important to always observe the specified speed limits (in urban areas, remote regions, highways and others). According to the Traffic and Road Safety (Amendment) Bill of 2023, a driver who doesn’t comply with the specified speed limit (100 kilometers per hour on highways, 80 kilometers per hour on murram and rural roads, as well as 50 kilometers per hour in urban, Trading Centers and developed areas) and is liable (on conviction) to a fine not exceeding Shs. 2 million (approximately $540) or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.

Fine for driving without a driver’s license: 7 reasons why you can be fined

If you do not possess a valid driver’s license, you will be fined for that. Remember that a driver’s license is your seal of approval from the Authorities to drive through the country and not having it means you are driving illegally. Therefore not having the license or possessing an expired one will attract a fine of between Shs. 600,000 (about $159) to Shs. 1 million ($270) or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months.

Fine for overlapping 

While overlapping is common on Ugandan roads, especially during rush hours where traffic is heavy, it is totally illegal and will attract a reasonable fine. Surprisingly, many drivers claim innocence after creating a second or third lane where it is not meant to be but it is still illegal. Driving in Uganda is on the right-hand side of the road and driving on the opposite side will be going against the country’s traffic laws hence could attract a fine of Shs. 100,000 (about $27).

Fine for parking in the road/or other places not designated for parking

Parking your rental car in the road or any other place (close to the junction or walkway) will have unpleasant consequences that include putting a clamp top your car. One thing you need to know is that many roads on the Ugandan road network are very narrow hence by parking alone the walkway or any other undesignated area means blocking traffic. For this, you will be liable to a fine.

Fine for using your phone while driving

Have you ever wondered whether you can (legally) utilize your cell phone while driving? Sorry to dash your hopes because simply holding any device while driving (even if you are simply sitting in traffic) is a serious no-no and you are likely to receive a Shs. 2,000,000 (approximately $540) fine for doing that. For this reason, you can set your cell phone running in advance if using it for navigating because regardless of how much you need to do it while driving, you will still face a fine.

Fine for driving with a dirty number plate

Are you surprised by that? Well, the number plate is a very significant feature for the Police to make certain of whether the car you are driving is registered, when and where it was registered. For this reason, your number plate should be clearly seen at all time or else pay a fine. In most cases, dirty, obstructed or hard-to-read number plates can all call for fines.

Fine for driving a vehicle in “Dangerous Mechanical Condition (DMC)”

7 reasons why you can be fined

Driving a vehicle in dangerous mechanical condition is not just a matter of legality but also a safety scenario, hence is as serious as signing a death sentence. Cars in DMC range from those that pollute the air (due to poor fuel combustion) to those with faults like malfunctioning gearbox. This could attract a fine of between Shs. 300,000 (80) to shs. 500,000 ($135), or even imprisonment for 2 years.