You own a car? Take it for mechanical inspections to ensure that it is road worthy to avoid accidents, Police have said.

Some of the accidents recorded are due to vehicle mechanical related faults, which Police say can be prevented if all vehicle owners heed the call.

Vehicles that do not satisfy the set technical criteria after inspection under a Presidential Decree are required to be repaired before they are given a certificate and allowed on the road again.

The decree No. 85/01 of September 2, 2002, stipulates that owners of vehicles using public roads without a mechanical inspection certificate will be liable to a fine of Rwf25,000.

Currently, there are three inspection centres; one in Remera, Gasabo District; in Gishari and Rwamagana districs; and the Mobile Test Lane.

Emmanuel Kabanda, the spokesperson for Police Traffic and Road Safety, said although there are some car owners who have responded to the call, there are others who still keep away, endangering their lives and those of other road users in the process.

Remera and Gishari centres receive about 350 and 50 vehicles, respectively, per day, while the mobile vehicle inspection lane has the capacity to inspect about 100 cars every day, according to Police.

"We always sensitise road users on traffic rules, but some of them still breach these instructions. We cannot afford to watch on as accidents occur due to carelessness – and that is why we call for mandatory safety inspection of all vehicles,” he added.

Private car owners are supposed to take their vehicles for inspection at least once in a year, while cars used for business purposes must be inspected after every six months.

"In case mechanical faults are identified, a vehicle owner is expected to fix them in two weeks to qualify for an inspection certificate,” Kabanda said.

Main areas of evaluation include brakes, brake lights, tyres, seatbelts, headlights, signals, windshield, dangerous cracks, wipers, horn, exhaust system, and steering wheel functionality.

Kabanda added that inspection centres now evaluate gas emissions from cars to protect the environment from harmful emissions.

Rwanda National Police plans to establish other mechanical inspection centres in Ngoma, Musanze, Huye and Karongi districts and another lane in Kigali.

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