Police embarks on marking road accident hotspots

As part of the campaign to curb road accidents that was launched last week, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has embarked on a countrywide exercise to paint zebra crossings and erect new signposts especially around school zones. The exercise was officially launched yesterday in Kicukiro District by the vice mayor for the City of Kigali in charge of Economic Development, Parfait Busabizwa. The exercise was also held concurrently on other 36 sites across the country. It involves creating new zebra crossings and painting faded ones, marking, fixing and renewal of sign posts around schools on highways and other hotspots. City of Kigali vice mayor in charge of economic development, Parfait Busabizwa, and CP George Rumanzi, commissioner for traffic, erecting a signposts along Kicukiro-Bugesera highway. / Courtesy The exercise, which includes educating students and other road users including commercial motorcyclists and cyclists on road safety, is conducted in partnership with Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA). The official launch brought together pupils, teachers, parents and motorists, who were urged to ensure proper usage of roads by respecting traffic rules. The city vice mayor, Busabizwa said: “The spirit behind the exercise is to ensure road safety for all.” According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kabanda, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, Zebra Crossings will be painted in 50 meters away from the school on both sides. “We are doing this exercise across the country especially targeting all schools along roads. We will also educate children on how to use roads through zebra crossing,” said CIP Kabanda. “We believe compliance to road traffic laws goes hand-in-hand with effective enforcement mechanism. We also believe that more can be achieved especially in preventing road accidents if everyone took it upon themselves to fully respect these signposts.” Officials addressing pupils on road safety at the official launch. / Courtesy At least 71 percent of the total accidents registered since the beginning of the year, were caused or involved pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, according to police. “Most road accidents are related to bad driving behaviors — driving recklessly, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, faulty mechanical conditions of automobiles, driving while using mobile phones and violating traffic signposts,” he observed. The road safety campaign lies under the ongoing countrywide Police Week activities to mark the RNP 17th anniversary.

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Police embarks on marking road accident hotspots