The annual road safety week conducted by Rwanda’s traffic police will emphasize on discouraging reckless driving. The campaign is themed make every journey home a safe one.
speaking at the awareness launch in Nyamirabo, traffic commander Chief Superintendent Vincent Sano explained that the aim was to ensure orderly traffic to all as way of reducing road accidents.
Certainly, drivers are advised to avoid reckless driving especially those who drive under the influence of alcohol, a habit which causes the majority of road accidents.
The police Inspector General Emmanuel Gasana was quick to support Sano by further warning that out of 365 deaths and over 30,000 serious injuries from road accidents each year are caused by uncalculated maneuvers, ridding without helmets and pedestrians carelessness while crossing roads.
In this respect, the weeklong campaign will sensitize drivers on some of the road signs which are repeatedly ignored by some drivers, among the overlooked signs are zebra crossing, sharp corners and speed limits.
In order to address the issue of negligence, traffic police will issue flyers to drivers showing causes of accidents. What is more there will be a reward for best drivers especially those who work in public service vehicles (PSV).
“Road accidents have affected our economy through loss of productivity and infrastructure such as road lights and destroyed city gardens,” said the mayor of Kigali Fidel Ndayisaba.
The mayor further encourages PSV drivers to ensure etiquette while transporting passengers. “Playing music in your taxis for instance is ok but avoid loud volumes since not everyone is comfortable,” Ndayisaba warned.
Ndayisaba was backed by James Musoni the minister of local government who encouraged passengers to stop a vehicle once there not comfortable with the driving situation. “It is your right to stop the bus which is over speeding or inform the police,” Musoni remarked. He further assured drivers that the government has plans to provide good road networks in the country.
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