RUHANGO – Taxi drivers in Ruhango district have commended the Rwanda National Police for its achievements in the past ten years.

The drivers who were attending the launch of the Police week in the district on Monday said that the acquisition of modern equipment by the traffic police has fostered efficiency in the implementation of road safety measures.

"The police no longer punish us unfairly because the speed governors and breathalysers have stepped up measures to curb traffic offenses,” said Ibrahim Ndoli, the representative of taxi drivers in the district.

Recently, the traffic Police introduced speed governors to check over-speeding, a measure that put to an end conflicts between drivers and traffic Police over the issue of over-speeding.

Ruhango is one of the districts in the country that records a big number of road accidents. According to district authorities, the Police week will be used to sensitise residents on road safety measures.

Superintendent Fred Semugaya, the district police commander, warned drivers against over speeding and drunk driving, saying tough penalties await such offenders.

"The principle is not only to punish but to help drivers change their attitudes. We always counsel them but those who refuse to follow the law must face punishment,” Semugaya said.

He added that as a measure to check over-speeding, plain clothes traffic police officers will be deployed on public commuter buses.

"We are considering deploying some plain clothes traffic Police officers on buses to check errant drivers,” said Semugaya, "but the best solution is for passengers to take responsibility for their safety and report over-speeding drivers.”

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