The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIP) in charge of Operations, Dan Munyuza, has appealed to motorcyclists to value their lives, prioritise their safety and desist from reckless dangerous on roads that continue to cost lives.

Munyuza made the call yesterday at Amahoro National Stadium, where he addressed thousands of commercial motorcyclists operating in the City of Kigali.

Motorcyclists are the second leading cause of road accidents in the country, according to Police traffic reports. Between January and October this year, a total of 1765 motorcyclists were involved in road accidents, and they account for 18.5 per cent of fatalities recorded in the last three months alone.

"The life of one motorcyclist lost is a loss to the family, the community and the country in general. Priority on the road doesn’t guarantee safety; make safety your priority,” Munyuza said.

He urged taxi moto operators to "think and act appropriately” and do away with reckless riding while respecting traffic guidelines.

"You are in this transport business because you want to live and make your lives better; it supports the country’s economic growth. So, regulate your speed, respect safety signposts; don’t ride when you are tired or drunk because that would put your life and that of others in danger,” he said, urging them to always wear helmets to protect themselves and their passengers in case of accident.

Munyuza said the Police will continue to reinforce mechanisms to ensure that roads are safe for all.

If accidents persist, he observed, the menace can be a big barrier to development in terms of lost manpower, orphans, expenditure on medical rather than development activities, among others.

Police to investigate coops

Meanwhile, Munyuza hinted on the issue of embezzlement in motorcycle cooperatives, adding that investigations will be launched to bring to justice anyone responsible for mismanaging money of members.

Each motorcyclist pays Rwf60,000 in membership fees and Rwf7,000 monthly contribution, which members say is never accounted for.

There are about 20,000 commercial motorcyclists operating in Kigali alone.

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