Senators have appealed to road users to observe traffic regulations to curb accidents.

The call was made by the Senatorial Committee on Foreign Affairs and Cooperation during a meeting with transport agencies, drivers, police, army, insurance companies, Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) as well as executive secretaries of sectors along the main roads in Huye District to discuss traffic issues.

The committee is touring borders and districts along the main roads to assess the state of road safety and security on borders.

The tour is part of efforts to address road carnage.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics show that road accidents claim lives of over a million people annually.

In Rwanda, Police statistics show that 103 people died and 600 people were severely injured in road accidents between April and August, last year.

There have been a spate of accidents lately, the latest being Sunday’s fatal accident that claimed lives of five people and injured several others.

Speeding, driving while fatigued, talking on phone when driving, drunk-driving and violating traffic signs are said to be the major causes of road traffic accidents.

The committee’s vice president, Jeanne d’Arc Mukakalisa, said something needs to be done since some accidents are due to preventable careless mistakes committed by drivers.

She said drivers need a good understanding of vehicle inspection and its importance as the state of the vehicles is also among the factors responsible for road accidents.

"The automobile check-up is being done but sometimes there are many malpractices where vehicle owners even borrow spare parts from colleagues and get the certificate, yet never mind that after giving back the spare parts, the vehicle will remain in bad condition, hence resulting in accidents,” she said.

Preventing traffic accidents

Senators said motorists should be the first to comply with traffic rules as they studied them to acquire driving licences.

Samuel Hatangimana, the representative of Rwanda Federation of Transport Cooperatives, said road accidents are mainly caused by vehicles in bad mechanical conditions and psychosocial problems.

"We are now checking before allowing a vehicle on the road. We also talk to our drivers to know about their family and individual issues. We cannot let a person drive when they are not in a sound state,” he said.

Alphonse Kurunziza, representing Rwinyana, a transport agency that serves Nyaruguru, Huye and Gisagara districts, said motorists should be careful to avoid unnecessary life loss.

Isaie Macumi, a motorcyclist, said accidents are a result of lack of respect between road users.

"If we all respect each other’s rights we can avoid accidents,” he said.

However, motorists expressed concerns over harassment by some traffic officers regarding some technical issues.

"One can leave Huye and their vehicle gets a minor damage on the road, but traffic officers won’t understand the issue and will fine you,” Alphonse Munyaneza, representing Volcano Express in Huye, said.

Senators promised to identify black spots on different highways and sensitise people about them.

Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency last month announced plans to introduce service cards designed to track conduct of motorists.

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