Are you a new traveler to Uganda. Have you book a rental car in Uganda and wondering how you can beat off traffic jams that have characterized most roads. Most people prefer and choose to live in urban areas therefore highway and city traffic has increasingly become a problem. When there is no choice but to drive to your destination, you can take precautions to avoid routes that will be congested and plan around rush hours to save time and money. Consider the following:
Use GPS traffic tools
In addition to helping you to navigate the roads, GPS systems and cell phone apps can alert you to where traffic is happening on all roads in Uganda. If your car has a GPS system installed, read through the help guide or user’s manual to learn how to use the traffic-information function.
Try using a cell phone app that displays up-to-the-minute traffic information, such as Google Maps .Driving while using a cell phone is dangerous, and is illegal in Uganda .Only use traffic information apps if you are a passenger in the vehicle, or when parked if you’re the driver
Avoid construction areas
If you’ll be traveling on highways or in a city during the warmer months, there is a good chance you could encounter traffic caused by road construction. In this case, you might want to plan an alternate route. You can find out just where construction is taking place by using the local and national governmental sites that provide updated information on roads under construction.
Check for sporting events and festivals
Highways near sports stadiums can become congested two hours before and two hours after games. Check your local professional teams’ schedules to see whether a match will be taking place within two hours after or before you plan to drive on these highways. If this is the case, consider alternate routes. Take similar precautions with large city festivals and concerts.
Drive on the weekends
If you’re planning a trip or a shopping day, try scheduling it on the weekends, when traffic is substantially reduced in most metropolitan areas. Be careful, though, to find out when major weekend city festivals are taking place, since roads can fill up quickly before and after these events..
Plan an alternate route
Check traffic websites, and use GPS systems and software to help you plan alternate routes past familiar congestion areas. Try to plan at least two routes, in case the best secondary way is congested itself or under construction. Having several optional routes planned will allow you to adjust on the fly, without having to check maps or ask for directions.
Sometimes an alternate route on city streets or state highways can get you to your destination faster than the congested road. But sometimes they can take longer, especially if you encounter several traffic lights or involve a major detour.
Avoid taking an alternate route that you haven’t planned. Just getting off a congested highway spontaneously, especially in an area you’re not familiar with, is an easy way to get lost. You must be sure of what route to take.
Avoid rush hours
If you are able to choose which time of day to drive during the week, be sure to avoid rush hours or peak hours. Most Uganda’s’ lanes rush hours run from 8 to 9 a.m. (08:00 to 9:00) and 5 to 6 p.m. (17:00–18:00), with less-severe congestion about one hour before and after these peak periods. High-density areas are also known to have a lunchtime rush period lasting roughly from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m especially in the city centres.
If you routinely get caught in traffic during your work commute, ask your supervisor about the possibility of changing the hours when you begin and end work in order to avoid the heaviest periods of traffic.
Listen to radio traffic reports
Most cities and towns in Uganda where traffic is a problem have traffic reports available through local radio stations. In larger cities, these can be broadcast as often as every 30 minutes during rush hour or peak hours. Check these reports while driving to help you decide whether to take an alternate route.
Using Alternative Transportation
Take advantage of rail systems. Look at public train schedules and maps for your city to see if they cover routes serving your origin and destination. You’ll save time, spend less money on fuel and parking, and cut down on pollution. Plus, you can read, relax, or get work done during the commute.
Try taking the bus
While not always as efficient as rail, metropolitan bus networks commonly serve broader areas, and can save you money on fuel and parking. On the highway and in city streets, buses can sometimes take advantage of bus-only lanes that bypass traffic.
Consider riding your bike
If you live fairly close to work, try going there by bicycle instead of driving. You might find that your travel time is not much different from when you were driving to and from work in traffic. Plus you’ll get some fresh air, save money on fuel, and get a good amount of exercise.
