Commercial taxi motorbike riders in Kigali have called for more features as the government moves to roll out new, high-quality helmets that meet international safety standards.
On Monday, May 27, the government unveiled new regulations mandating motorists to use helmets of a specified quality.
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As part of the launch of the project, officials at the infrastructure ministry showcased samples of the quality helmets, which the motorists welcomed, though they pointed out a couple of things that can be improved.
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The suggested improvements include tinted or UV-proof screens to shield riders from sunlight, as well as larger screens to better protect them from wind and flying insects that can pose risks to their eyes.
"These new helmets are good and we are happy for them. The ones we are using currently can break when an accident occurs, but these new ones are stronger. They give the head an 80 percent chance of not suffering damage during an accident,” said Josephine Uzamuranga, one of the leaders of a taxi moto cooperative in Kinyinya, Kigali.
Uzamuranga also highlighted a need for improvements, as raised by some of her counterparts.
"They (the new helmets) don’t protect you from flying insects and wind. Their screen also doesn’t have tint to limit the sunlight. Such things can and should be addressed,” she said.
Statistics shared by infrastructure minister Jimmy Gasore show that in the past four years, between 25 and 30 percent of road accidents in Rwanda involved motorbikes.
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This year alone, 63 people have died in motorbike accidents, he said.
"This is something very sad and worrisome.”
The initiative of introducing specified quality helmets is a long or mid-term endeavour, commencing with a campaign to educate motorists about the necessary standards for helmets.
As part of it, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) will acquire technology for assessing the quality of helmets used in the country. Equipment for carrying such assessments is expected to arrive in the country in June.
Innocent Nzeyimana, the president of Healthy People Rwanda (HPR), a non-governmental organization that has, among others, been training taxi moto drivers and participated in educating the public about road safety through social media, told The New Times that Rwanda doesn't have a compliance issue regarding helmet usage.
Healthy People Rwanda oversees the activities of Tuwurinde, a project aimed at rolling out better quality helmets in the country.
"The main issue is to do with the quality of the helmets now in use,” he noted, adding: "Currently, there are about 18 types of helmets available in Rwanda. But they are not under any standard.”
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According to the United Nations Safety Fund, globally, road crashes cause over one million preventable deaths and 50 million injuries each year. Unsafe roads have significant economic, social and health costs in low- and middle-income countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Africa has the highest rate of road deaths, at 26.6 deaths per 100,000 population and Rwanda has one of the highest rates at 29.7 road deaths per 100,000 people. Minister Gasore said the government will work with the private sector to ensure that good quality helmets are available in the country and at a good price.
"We urge the private sector to explore the production of high-quality helmets within Rwanda. With all regulatory requirements, including those set by RSB, and a dedicated laboratory for assessment in place, helmets made in Rwanda can even be exported to foreign countries,” the minister noted.