The Remera-based automobile mechanical control facility has checked only 1,362 vehicles in the first eight months of 2010, the lowest figure compared to the previous two years, according to a Police report.

In 2008, 11,219 vehicles were inspected while 4,729 were screened last year.
As by September 12, there were 48,733 vehicles in the country out of which 10.7 percent are public cars, according to statistics.

Speaking to The New Times, the Traffic Commanding Officer, Chief Superintendent Vincent Sano, attributed the low turn-up to car owners who fear that they may be asked to carry out costly repairs on their vehicles.

"Most vehicles brought into the country are second hand…some with mechanical problems and owners try to evade the costs they might incur,” Sano said. He observed the need for further sensitization of vehicle owners on the use of the facility.

"We decided to give priority to passengers and business vehicles which are mostly used by many people,” Sano said.

Vehicles in poor conditions are said to be among the causes of road accidents. All vehicles are subjected to a periodic technical check and those that are not found roadworthy are required to be repaired before hitting the road again. It takes less than 15 minutes for a vehicle to be checked and results released and the facility has the capacity to check between 120 and 150 vehicles daily.

Vehicles with four tyres are checked at a cost of Rwf 11,800, while screening a commuter taxi costs the owner Rwf 17,700. Vehicles with six wheels, with capacity ranging from 19 to 29 pSSENGERS are charged Rwf 23,600 while owners of vehicles with 10 wheels with a capacity of more than 30 people, pay Rwf 29, 500, each.

Sano said that every new vehicle brought into the country spends two years before undergoing a mechanical screening.

The presidential decree No. 85/01 of September 2, 2002, regulating general traffic police and road traffic; stipulates, in part, that, "vehicles not satisfying the set technical criteria will not be issued a certificate allowing them to circulate on the public way. And for any vehicle that circulates on public highway without that certificate – the owner shall be liable to a fine worth Rwf 25,000.”

The centre, established in 2008 to check the mechanical conditions of vehicles as a way addressing the problem of road accidents arising from technical difficulties, is the first of its kind in East Africa.

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