As more passengers and drivers were cautioned against road accidents yesterday, members of the press and the public joined in to help the National police prevent road accidents. Jean Pierre Higiro a member of a youth association the Rwanda Initiative Promotion (RIP) stressed the need to involve them in such campaigns as they also have a say in issues that affect society. “Though they are at times not involved in important decisions, youth also have their own audience. Adults sometimes listen when young ones give advice,” Higiro told The New Times. He encouraged drivers at Nyabugogo Taxi Park to always wear their seat belts and avoid waiting until they meet the police to do so. “Passengers who sit in the co driver’s seat ought to always remember this and also remind the drivers if necessary,” he said adding that the joint effort would improve road safety faster than expected. Carine Rusaro Utamuliza, the former Miss National University of Rwanda (NUR) praised pledges made by drivers to improve on the dimensions of the road safety programme a persistent concern in Rwanda. “The changing pattern of travel from rural to urban roads during festive seasons has previously accounted for a significant portion of deaths due to accidents,” she said. She pointed out that the ongoing safety challenge spurred by an array of government programmes and policies would register many improvements in road safety over the next years. Supt. Robert Niyonshuti, the commander of traffic police hailed all stakeholder efforts and explained why some roads lack facilities. “We are aware that some roads don’t bear sign posts and humps but their nature may sometimes not permit that,” he said while condemning the poor reading culture of Rwandan drivers. Ends
