{The District Police Commander of Burera, Supt. Dieudonné Rwangombwa has asked commercial motorcyclists and cyclists operating in the district to abide by the road safety standards.}
Supt. Rwangombwa made the call on June 6 during a meeting with 150 cyclists and motorists organized in three cooperatives operating in Cyanika, Rugarama and Gahunga sectors.
“You are expected to use the road to the required standard bearing in mind that there are other people using the same public infrastructure. It is also in your own safety to respect traffic rules and regulations,” he said.
Particularly, with regards to cyclists, the DPC reminded them to understand the significance of road safety, take some time to learn about traffic laws because they apply to them as well like any other road user.
“You are entitled and under similar road safety measures like other road users, so you advised not to assume that road signs do not apply to you,” SP Rwangombwa told the cyclists.
He cautioned them against riding on pedestrian pathways.
He singled out motorcyclists and cautioned them against riding without driver’s licence, helmet or reflector jackets.
Carelessness and bad maneuvers, and speeding by motorcyclists in particular, are some of the causes of fatal road accidents.
“You, therefore, have the responsibility of protecting the lives of your passengers and those of all road users. You can make yourselves safer and respected by being competent and not over speeding, riding on allocated lanes and using headlights at night.”
He further urged them to be partners in fighting and preventing crimes through timely exchange of information.
“But this starts with you by refraining from any unlawful acts like drug trafficking and abuse, and aiding smuggling, which some of your members have been involved in,” he noted.
The head of COTAMORWA, Jean Mbarukuze Damascene, said “Security and safety is the reason why we are able to operate our business smoothly, and we have to lead the front by preserving it.
We have recommitted that, all the time we come across someone violating the law we will not hesitate to inform the police … this is the commitment that we have all made, we have to champion this fight against crimes in our areas.”
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