KAMPALA.
Government suspended the controversial automated Express Penalty system amid raising public criticism about the multiple penalties slapped against motorists.
Some motorists have already complained that they have been fined more than once in a single day to a tune of Shs1m which is unreasonable and were pondering parking their vehicles
In the post on X(Twitter ) , the Ministry of Works and Transport on Wednesday evening said implementation of Auto EPS had been suspended effective midnight .
“Effective midnight to night , the implementation of automated Express Penalty System(Auto EPS] will be temporarily suspended following a comprehensive review ,” the statement reads in part
“Gen Katumba Wamala will issue a detailed statement tomorrow outlining the way forward”
“In the meantime, we urge all road users to continue driving responsibly and observing traffic rules ,” it adds
The government rolled out the implementation of the EPS last week after Works and Transport Minister, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, released the Traffic and Road Safety (Prescription of Speed Limits) Regulations, 2024.
The regulations mandate a maximum speed limit of 30km/hr on roads near schools, hospitals, markets, and business centres, while urban roads and highways have a general speed limit of 50km/hr. Under the arrangement, violators of these speed limits are fined Shs200,000 when they exceed the 30km/hr speed limit, and Shs600,000 for those who exceed 50km/hr.
In the new traffic regulations, motorists are compelled to pay traffic fines within 72 hours (three days) after the issuance of an EPS ticket or risk a 50 percent surcharge upon default.
Punitive
The AutoEPS largely targets motorists speeding, with some victims slapped with tickets as high as Shs900,000 in a few minutes.
The Works and Transport ministry says the operationalisation of the new Road Safety Act through reviewing and updating the Traffic and Road Safety (Speed Limits) Regulations, 2004, was aimed at improving driver behaviour.
It also set out to develop a safety culture intended to protect the most vulnerable road users, especially pedestrians and passengers who do not control the vehicle.