The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana has urged driving school proprietors to adopt quality standards and modern training methods to produce competent drivers.

IGP Gasana made the call, yesterday, during a meeting with owners and representatives of 47 driving schools operating in the country.

The meeting, which was held at the Police headquarters in Kacyiru, is part of the ongoing road safety awareness campaign.

Gasana said the importance of driving schools in society today cannot be overemphasised, noting that instilling professional and modern driving techniques among aspiring drivers is important in drastically minimising road accidents.

"You are required to maintain quality and harmonised standards, as well as adopt modern training modules that enable you to operate in a professional manner,” IGP Gasana said.

"Most of the road accidents that occur are due to bad driving or lack of knowledge on traffic rules – and they lead to loss of life. Despite the fact that the roads we have today are better than what we had in the past, reckless driving remains a challenge. Therefore, it is the duty of driving schools to ensure that they graduate professional drivers who uphold values of road safety.”

He added that issues of integrity and anti-corruption must be held in high regard among driving school operators.

"Police will endeavor to be accessible whenever needed to conduct necessary inspections and training of driving school operators in order to promote professionalism,” he said.

"Vehicles you use in driving lessons should be in good condition and acceptable standard. On top of training, you should also provide aspring drivers with pertinent information regarding road safety.”

Emmanuel Twagirayezu, the president of Rwanda Driving Schools Association, commended Police for reaching out to operators, and encouraged his colleagues to promote safe driving by participating in road safety campaigns.

"Some people think that driving is easy and they drive without the necessary skills. As operators, we need to emphasise the need for every driver to attend a driving school before driving on the road,” he said.

"Police have been a good partner; therefore, we should honour this partnership by ensuring that our graduates are qualified enough. We are also required to oblige to the rules governing our schools.”

Another participant, Celestin Rwiyamirira, the managing director of Midland School of Motoring, added that: "All of us should respect the rules of driving schools, do business in a professional manner and ensure that our staff are professional as they conduct driving tests and lessons.”

The Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP)  Celestin Twahirwa, said Police and driving school operators, will further discuss pertinent issues and potential partnership areas, as well as how to overcome persistent challenges faced by the operators.