Editor,

RE: "City of Kigali has plans to address traffic jam” (The New Times, September 5).

Traffic congestion in Kigali mostly happens during the peak hours but unfortunately traffic lights are not programmed to take this into consideration—greater collaboration with the Police to assist in determining and regulating traffic flow during the peak hours is of great necessity.

Some of the traffic congestion is mainly due to the lack of parking slots or dedicating awkward places to parking. Some examples of congestion caused by limited parking slots and during peak hours are the roads near the supermarkets around the Kisimenti Roundabout, shops around Kimironko market area, etc.

I’m not 100 per cent sure about how this could be sorted out but one idea that crossed my mind is to work with shop owners in creating adequate parking spaces in the vicinity of their premises that would allow shoppers to park without delaying the other vehicles and road users with no intention to park.

Driving habits: This point is beyond the City of Kigali’s responsibility and will require the involvement of multiple stakeholders. Sadly to say, drivers (private and commercial) are always guilty of traffic indiscipline. Education and accountability (fines) are presently the few options I can suggest as a way to try to resolve this. Our experience in enforcing use of seat belt might come in handy here.

Alain B.