A new law governing road traffic, introducing a merit and demerit point system and tougher penalties for offences such as drunk driving, was gazetted on March 10, but some of its key provisions will only take effect after the publication of ministerial orders on the implementation.

The new legislation, which replaced a 1987 law, will allow Traffic Police to monitor the conduct of licensed drivers using points that may be added or deducted depending on compliance with traffic regulations.

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The procedures for calculating these points, as well as the list of administrative offences and their corresponding fines, will be defined by a ministerial order expected in expected by April, officials said.

The order is also expected to determine the specifications and procedures for the use of equipment and technology used by Traffic Police.

The new law sets penalties for drivers who fail to comply with instructions from police officers. A driver who refuses to stop after being signalled by an investigator or authorised officer commits an offence that attracts a fine of Rwf400,000-700,000 and imprisonment of three to six months.

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Drunk driving penalties

The legislation strengthens penalties for drunk driving, with sanctions varying depending on the type of vehicle and the level of alcohol detected in a driver's blood.

Drivers of public transport, school transport, staff transport, tourist vehicles, vehicles carrying more than 3.5 tonnes of load, or other vehicles used for commercial purposes face a fine ranging from Rwf100,000 to Rwf400,000 and imprisonment of three to six months if found driving above the legal blood alcohol concentration limit, which is 0.8g per litre of blood.

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For non-commercial drivers, the penalty ranges from a fine of Rwf150,000 to Rwf300,000 and up to 10 days in prison, or one of these penalties.

If the alcohol level is at least twice the permissible limit, the punishment increases to a fine of between Rwf200,000 and Rwf500,000 and imprisonment of three to six months, or one of the penalties.

Repeat offenders who commit the offence within one year of a final conviction will be liable for the maximum penalty, which may be doubled.

The law also penalises drivers who refuse to take a blood alcohol concentration test. Upon conviction, they face a fine of between Rwf300,000 and Rwf600,000 and imprisonment of three to six months.

Vehicle ownership transfer

The law further requires that ownership of a motor vehicle be transferred whenever it is sold or donated.

Anyone who sold or disposed of a vehicle before the law came into force but has not yet completed the transfer process is granted up to 12 months from the date of publication in the Official Gazette to regularise ownership.

However, the procedures for transferring ownership will be determined by a ministerial order as well.

Ministerial orders in preparation

Alfred Byiringiro, the Chief Technical Advisor in charge of Transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure, said the ministerial order required to implement some provisions of the new road traffic law is currently being prepared.

"The ministerial order is being worked on and, based on the progress so far, we expect it to be completed latest by mid-April,” Byiringiro told The New Times.

The order will consolidate and operationalise several provisions introduced under the law.

On drunk driving regulations, the official noted that currently the maximum permissible blood alcohol concentration for drivers remains 0.80 grams per litre of blood, as provided under the previous law.

However, the new legislation allows the Minister of Infrastructure to reduce this threshold through a ministerial order.

"The limit of 0.8 grams per litre has existed since the 1987 law and strict enforcement has shown good results. However, the new provision allowing a ministerial order to lower the concentration aligns Rwanda with international practices,” he said.

He noted that many countries have adopted a 0.5 grams per litre limit, a level recommended by the World Health Organisation indicating that a driver's ability to control a vehicle declines significantly beyond that threshold.

Byiringiro also highlighted the importance of enforcing vehicle registration requirements.

"Vehicle registration has always been required, but in many cases, it was not properly implemented. That created risks, including the possibility of vehicles being used in criminal activities without easy traceability,” he said.

What the new law means for road safety

Rwanda National Police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said some provisions of the new law, particularly those related to criminal offences and penalties, can be implemented immediately after the law was gazetted. However, he noted, many operational aspects will depend on ministerial orders.

"The criminal part, which clearly indicates the fines and penalties, is straightforward to implement after the law is gazetted. But many other parts of the law await the ministerial order to guide their implementation,” Rutikanga told The New Times.

"There are several details we are waiting for, including how the merit and demerit point system will be applied.”

He explained that the law introduces provisions new to Rwandan legislation, including safety measures such as a merit and demerit system.

"This type of system allows certain road safety offences to be punished by deducting points from the licence holder. The measure aims to hold drivers accountable for their actions and assess their professionalism and road safety awareness, which could result in suspension of their driving privileges. Details of how this will operate will be provided in the ministerial order.”

Rutikanga added that the law is designed to strengthen road safety and ensure roads remain secure. "At the core of this law is prevention and safeguarding people’s lives while they are on the road. Article 7 introduces comprehensive use of digital technology, among other measures, to improve transparency, support evidence-based policing, and enhance the efficiency of policing interventions.”

He also highlighted revisions to other articles, including those prohibiting drink-driving and non-compliance with law enforcement orders, which are meant to reinforce drivers’ responsibility for public safety. "Observance of the law will, to a large extent, reduce accidents and behaviour that may lead to legal or administrative sanctions,” he said.