Development of a safety system for motorcycles.

Abstract

Motorcycles are a common means of transport of Uganda. With their numbers and usage increasing every year, it becomes a problem to law enforcement. This is due to the fact that law enforcement officials are overwhelmed by the large numbers of the motorcyclists. In turn, the laws on the motorcyclists become lax. In response to the lax laws, many of the motorcycle riders do not undergo training and licensing as required by the law. Hence, some motorcyclists go on the road ignorant of the rules and safety practices to follow. Among the rules and safety practices motorcyclists should adhere to involve the use of indicator lights at turns and roundabouts which is the most important form of communication for road users of which they go on the road ignorant of their proper usage. Consequently, it is a common practice for the riders to raise their hand at turns or roundabouts which further exposes them to risk as they have only one hand at the handlebar. This comes as a result of the motorcyclists having reduced the control they have on the motorcycle. Furthermore, in case the lights become broken in the long run, the riders can go on for months without fixing the lights as a result of neglect and lack of knowledge on their importance while on the road. This further puts them at a greater risk of accidents as indicator signals are a very important means of communication among road users. There is then a need to address these challenges by ensuring adherence to use of indicator lights by introducing a technological system. The system should be able to check whether the indicator lights are working. If the either or both are not working, the system would immobilize the motorcycle until the rider fixes them. The system would also monitor navigation tilts made in either the left or the right direction and automatically turn the indicator lights on.