Police has impounded 97 vehicles deemed to be in dangerous mechanical condition (DMCs) in an impromptu operation in the seven districts of the Acholi sub region, the Aswa region police spokesman Jimmy Patrick Okema said on Tuesday in a media briefing in Gulu.
41 vehicles in poor mechanical condition were impounded in Gulu, the highest number in the entire region.
Amuru came second with 24 vehicles, followed by Nwoya district at 12. Kitgum and Agago had eight vehicles each while Lamwo had one.
Police also issued Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) to the owners of the vehicles amounting to 5.9 million shillings.
The largest fines was against vehicle owners in Gulu who will have to fork out 2.4 million payable to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) accounts.
The express penalty scheme aims at tackling accidents by ridding off the road vehicles in poor mechanical condition.
Under the express penalty scheme, traffic offenders are issued fines on the spot. A traffic offender is required to pay the fine within 28 days.
Police spokesman Jimmy Patrick Okema vehicles in poor condition are responsible for increased accidents on the roads.
He warned that police will continue with the operation and fine errant drivers in order to protect life and property.
Police also cautioned drivers of public vehicles like taxis and buses to stay away from alcohol while driving. Police attributes most accidents in the region to dangerous driving, drink driving and vehicles in poor mechanical condition.
The traffic police reports indicate that since the beginning of this year, at least 20 people have been killed in road accident in the Acholi sub region.
