As the curtains were drawn on Community Policing Week in Kigali at the weekend, the Police reiterated calls to motorists to avoid reckless driving to prevent accidents.
As the curtains were drawn on Community Policing Week in Kigali at the weekend, the Police reiterated calls to motorists to avoid reckless driving to prevent accidents.Fighting corruption, gender-based violence, fire safety, theft, and domestic conflicts were among the issues the Police, in collaboration with local leaders, sought to address during the course of the week."Seeking and sustaining safety should be everyone’s priority. People have to secure themselves then take part in fighting whatever can endanger others,” Police Spokesperson Theos Badege told journalists.The last day of the Community Policing Week was dedicated to meeting motorists to raise road safety awareness."Once well communicated, understood and put into action, the number of accidents will reduce considerably. Passengers should try and denounce motorists, who breach traffic rules,” Badege added.He said accidents are mostly caused by careless driving habits such as talking on phone while driving, speeding and lack of respect for other motorists, among others.Reject errant motoristsHe called upon passengers to denounce such practices before an accident occurs.As part of the closing ceremony, a soccer gala was organised between Kigali motorists and Police at Nyamirambo Stadium, with the law enforcers trouncing their opponents in the friendly 3-1."This is a good way of reminding both the Police and drivers that we are not enemies but partners. It is a way of reminding each of us our daily assignments so as to further maintain and sustain the road safety,” Eric Nisingizwe, the leader of an association of motoriders cooperatives, said.Flugence Ndabamenye, who claimed to have been driving for 10 years without ever being involved in an accident, advised his colleagues to respect traffic rules."I normally drive slowly. I think that’s the reason I don’t cause accidents. Even if accidents are not planned we have to value life,” Ndabamenye said.Fidel Ndayisaba, the Kigali City, mayor urged the public take charge of their security, saying Police cannot be everywhere.