Kampala — AT least 312 people were killed in 9,558 road accidents in the city last year.

This indicates an increase in both the number of deaths and accidents as compared to 2001.

Kampala Traffic chief Gabriel Tibayungwa said while releasing the end of year city traffic report, that the figures represented a 2% increase in road accidents and carnage in the city.

He warned that the situation will only change with a change of attitude of road users.

"This increase should not be taken lightly. If we don't change our behaviour on the roads, the situation and figures may keep on increasing," he said. He added that 307 people were killed in road accidents in 2001.

Tibayungwa said 4,404 people were injured in the accidents that involved 16,497 vehicles, with many of them "remaining on the roads while a few of them were written off," which he blamed on the low quality of motor vehicles in the city.

He said 285 fatal, 2,555 serious and 6,718 slight accidents were reported last year, in which 2,387 pedestrians were killed.

Tibayungwa, who was flanked by his deputy, Sarah Kibwika, said the police would maintain a number of initiatives put in place to combat indiscipline on the roads, some of which were put in place late last year and "had produced results."