The nationwide road safety sensitisation campaign to prevent accidents continued on the third day yesterday in Rubavu District where drivers and commercial motorcyclists were put on the spot for their recklessness on highways that leads to loss of lives.

During the exercise held in Nyakiriba Sector and presided over by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana and Provincial Governor Caritas Mukandasira, Zebra Crossings were established and painted.

About 1500 people, including students, drivers, commercial motorcycle operators and other area residents turned up for the road safety awareness exercise.

About 40 people died in accidents in the last one month across the country, according to a Police report.

IGP Gasana observed that most accidents are caused by drivers who drive even when fatigued, over speeding, failure to respect traffic signs like Zebra Crossings and over taking in dangerous places while others drive under the influence of illicit drugs.

He, however, pledged a motorcycle to a commercial motorcyclist who will exhibit high level of road safety precautions and discipline while various awards will also be given to residents who will stand out in reporting reckless drivers and promote road safety.

Governor Mukandasira appealed to drivers and motorcyclists to respect road safety signs to prevent accidents.

"There is a naïve saying among drivers that ‘instead of spending hours on the road you instead spend days in the hospital.’ That is backwardness and such people don’t deserve to be behind the wheel. We should all be responsible to protect our lives by reporting such people,” Mukandasira said.