In various road accidents, drivers have been blamed for fleeing the scene immediately after causing accidents, which in some cases, violates the rights of the victims but also aggravates punishment for the offenders, according to Rwanda National Police (RNP).
A hit-and-run incident occurred on November 1 in Muganza Sector, Rusizi District, where a truck collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the death of the rider and his passenger. The truck driver fled the scene following the accident.
The Traffic Police Spokesperson, SP Emmanuel Kayigi, told The New Times that the driver in question was later apprehended and detained at Kamembe Police Station, in Rusizi District. The case was forwarded to the prosecution for further legal proceedings.
Another recent case is that of Miss Rwanda 2022, Divine Nshuti Muheto. During her arraignment, the prosecutor requested that the judge impose a one-year sentence for fleeing the scene, along with additional penalties: six months for drink-driving and two months for driving without a permit.
However, she was handed a three-month suspended sentence and fined Rwf190,000 after being found innocent of fleeing the scene but guilty of the other charges.
Kayigi, told The New Times that fleeing the scene after causing an accident is an aggravating circumstance that results in harsher punishments.
"Fleeing the scene after causing an accident is inhumane, especially when there is a person who has been hit and needs aid,” he said.
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According to the law governing traffic rules and regulations on road usage, any person—whether driving a vehicle or not—who flees the scene of an accident in such a way that it is not possible to determine what happened, and who knows that their vehicle or actions caused or contributed to an accident in a public or accessible area, shall be punished with imprisonment for a period of three months to one year, and or a fine or one of these penalties, even if the accident was not their fault.
Currently, Kayigi said that the fine is Rwf150,000 as per the existing regulations.
A Presidential decree of 2002 regulating general traffic police and road traffic provides that where a person was killed or seriously injured in the accident and in so far as this does not affect traffic security; avoid tampering with the scene of the accident and disappearance of marks which may serve in allotting responsibilities and must inform or have the nearest police authority informed.
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"Fleeing the scene after causing an accident can result in consequences such as failing to immediately identify who caused the accident, tampering with evidence, and not providing help to the injured party even when the accident causer was in a position to do so,” said Kayigi.
When a driver’s safety is at risk
Kayigi pointed out that if a driver realises that their safety is at risk after being involved in an accident, such as when the relatives or friends of the person who was hit are approaching with anger, "they can flee but must notify the police.”
He urged road users to report such incidents, record the plate numbers, and cooperate with the police in such cases to help deal with these behaviours.
"Drivers are urged to avoid driving when they have consumed alcohol to prevent accidents, as many such incidents are caused by drunk drivers,” he added.