Police warns motorcycle taxi operators against overloading

A motorcycle taxi operator was intercepted yesterday at KBC roundabout in Kimihurura carrying over 60 kilogrammes of meat and Police warned that such traffic-related offences “can’t be tolerated.” The motorcycle registration number RA 360W was transporting the meat to a restaurant in Kimihurura from Niboye in Kicukiro. The offender, Thomas Bavugirije also had no driving licence. Supt. Jean Marie Ndushabandi, spokesperson of traffic and road safety department said the motorcycle was seized and the offender penalised accordingly and the meat handed over to Rwanda Agricultural Board (Rab). He explained that motorcycles are authorised to “carry one passenger only” and warned of “severe consequences” to whoever will be caught committing such traffic offences. “We have talked about this time and again that it’s illegal to carry luggage on a motorcycle. Motorcycles are insured to carry only one passenger and we will not hesitate to penalise those who keep violating these rules and continue to cause accidents and loss of lives,” Supt. Ndushabandi cautioned. He also warned that owners of luggage that will be seized being transported on a motorcycle risking losing them. Motorcycles were the major cause of accidents last year. About 30 per cent of road accidents registered in the last three months were also caused by motorcycles, Supt. Ndushabandi said.