Editor,

I am writing to bring attention to the numerous unmarked speed humps in the nation’s capital, and to make a plea that road maintenance funds and infrastructural initiatives include the regular painting of these bumps.

While the purpose of embedding speed bumps in paved routes is to reduce the number of accidents and the extent of bodily harm caused by speeding vehicles, those which are unnoticeable -- due to worn off yellow paint and lack of reflectors -- are actually a major safety hazard.

As an example of how the speed bumps in Kigali are not playing their intended function, I would like to point out that I was hospitalized and had to undergo surgery last week for a broken collar bone due to an unmarked speed hump in front of Nyarutarama Sports Club.

It is an area that I did not know well and therefore I was not expecting the two speed bumps; because they are not well marked, I failed to see them and was thrown over the front of the motorbike when it flew over one of them.

This painful accident could have easily been avoided if the bumps had been properly maintained with yellow paint and reflectors.  This is not the only example of unmarked speed humps in Kigali; there are several in Kiyovu, particularly on the route that leads from Hotel Mille Collines to ‘Le Must’ and ‘Republica’.

The city is currently undergoing many significant developments in the area of infrastructure; and the ongoing efforts to improve roads in Kigali are very admirable, the most notable being the expanded lanes on the way to the main ‘Rond Point’ downtown.  It would be even more beneficial if speed bump marking and maintenance was included in those initiatives! 

As such, speed humps could actually play their intended role of helping the population rather than potentially harming drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

Thank you,

Kimberly Ross
kimouna@gmail.com