Road safety campaign continues in Kigali, Gakenke, Kamonyi

The Rwanda National Police countrywide campaign to sensitise road users on traffic rules and precautions against accidents continued in the City of Kigali, Kamonyi and Gakenke districts on Wednesday.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Minister Musa Fazil Harelimana puts a sticker on a vehicle during the launch of Road Safety Campaign in Kigali on Wednesday. (Courtesy)

The Rwanda National Police countrywide campaign to sensitise road users on traffic rules and precautions against accidents continued in the City of Kigali, Kamonyi and Gakenke districts on Wednesday.

The Road Safety Month which was officially launched in Gatsibo District on Tuesday is being held under the theme "Road Accidents are Preventable, Drive Responsibly.”

In Kigali, the Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Mussa Fazil Harerimana, who presided over the exercise held in Remera, said drivers and commercial motorcycle operators' reckless acts continue to deprive Rwandans of their lives.

He appealed to owners of public vehicles and heads of travel agencies to always carry out screening to employ disciplined drivers with integrity and to avoid giving their vehicles to careless individuals.

"Employing reckless drivers means putting lives of passengers at risk. If someone can't value his life, how is he going to value the life of those he's transporting?" the Minister wondered.

"It is very paramount that only drivers of integrity be given jobs to drive a bus or coasters. This will in the end help to address the menace of road accidents,” he added.

Fidele Ndayisaba, the Mayor of the City of Kigali lauded RNP’s tireless efforts in maintaining security not only on the capital roads but also across the country.

Ndayisaba said the City is currently replacing the old traffic lights with modern ones to further manage and ensure traffic flow in the city.

He, however, warned motorcycle taxi operators against riding on pedestrian pathways and ignoring Zebra crossings.

Yesterday's exercise involved painting zebra crossings along Gisementi-Kimironko road and putting stickers carrying road safety messages  on vehicles in Remera bus terminal.

The event in Kigali was also graced by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda and other senior RNP and RDF officers and local leaders.

meanwhile, in Kamonyi, the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana urged hundreds of residents, who turned up, to act responsibly and utilise the RNP hotlines - 112 and 113 - to report reckless drivers.

The Kamonyi exercise which also brought together commercial motorcyclists was also attended by the Governor of the Southern Province Alphonse Munyentwari.

In Gakenke, Aimé Bosenibamwe, the Governor of the Northern Province, called upon residents to also report drivers who violate traffic rules and drive recklessly.

The campaign continues on Thursday in Rubavu District.