Background
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years, with close to 1000 young people dying every day on the world’s roads, according to the WHO. Most of these young people trek to school despite the unsafe road infrastructure, and a few opt for motorized or bicycle transportation but still do not use child restraint systems (CRS), helmets, or seatbelts. In Uganda, the case is worsening. At times, four children use one motorcycle (boda boda) as transport; there’s no road safety education in schools, if any; the method of dissemination used is not effective; there are no safe crossings for children, and the few available are worn out; overspeeding and abuse of traffic rules; increased distraction; fatigue among drivers; and alcohol and drug use, among other factors.
Based on this background, LEGACY ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVE was founded as a national NGO with clear objectives to bring about transformation and safety for vulnerable road users, especially young people. The organisation is fully registered by the government of Uganda under the NGO Board registration number MIA/NB/2018/12/1595 and fully permitted to operate countrywide.
Since its inception, LRSI has been extensively involved in several road safety campaigns, including education and training of road users, advocacy, sensitisation, post-crash services, and promoting road safety peer-to-peer engagement among young people.
OUR PATRON'S MESSAGE
Putting into perspective the rampant road carnage, the very many traffic offenses registered by the law enforcement agencies, the burden that these offences have on the judiciary system, and the overall effects that these road offenses, carnages and the adverse toll it has on families, society, and the economy at large. It’s imperative on us to address these issues and we ensure that we sensitize all stakeholders including pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and the law enforcers on how to reduce these fatalities that may ensue or how to effectively use road transport for the benefit of all.
As LRSI, we strive to ensure that our children and youngsters are empowered and equipped to safely access their education as they trek the dangerous roads, ensure that communities are trained and equipped to provide first aid in the event of a crash before calling paramedics, provide emergency response to enhance the pre-hospital response time, and sensitise, train and equip motorists to not only drive/ride responsibly but also offer first responder services in the event of a crash.
The campaign’s efforts to influence road safety are commendable, and I encourage us all to actively participate in spreading awareness. By collectively advocating for safer roads and responsible driving practices, we can make a tangible difference in curbing these preventable tragedies.
Let us stand together, united in our commitment to fostering a culture of road safety in Uganda. Through collective action, we can create a safer environment for everyone on our roads.
Sincerely Captain George Michael Mukula
Vision
Safe roads, safe arrival
Mission
To advocate and promote road safety and sustainable mobility among young people.”
Core Values
1. Safety; 2. Creativity; 3. Integrity; 4. Respect
Our Goal
Our goal is to create a mindset change and inculcate road safety discipline among young people hence promoting youngster road safety ambassadors.
Our Objectives
The aims and objectives for which LRSI is set up are to promote road safety standard, safe and sustainable mobility, and equitable access of public places among young people from an early age, through road safety education and empowerment and for that purpose it shall:
- Promoting road safety among young people and other road users through education, training, and raising awareness through art, music, dance & drama, and cultural activities and providing a platform to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience and solutions among road users
- Advocating for safe roads to ensure compliance with legislation, regulations and standards among road users and encourage soft mobility such as walking and cycling, use of seatbelts, child restraint systems, helmet wear, jacket reflectors etc. Including,
- Advocating for post-crash care, i.e. psycho-socio support, economic empowerment to crash victims and training of first line responders, providing rescue services etc.
- Carrying out research on relevant topics on road safety and publish and disseminate the findings to the stakeholders and for academic purposes.
- Fostering partnership with the government or its agencies in executing their programs on road safety programs at large. And also, advocating for zero-emission transport, reduced carbon emission, cleaner communities, reduced air pollution, greener cities.
- Promoting the use of modern technology in road safety management and disaster preparedness.
