Road safety: Are citizens performing their role?

PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME recently cited road accidents among the urgent problems that need quick responses. The President’s remarks followed increased road carnage in the country with reports indicating that 40 individuals were killed and many others injured in fatal road accidents across the country in the past few weeks. “The life of every individual is too valuable to be lost in accidents that have become rampant in the past few weeks,” Kagame said last Monday at the swearing-in ceremony of several cabinet ministers at Parliamentary Buildings in Kimihurura, Kigali. Following the President’s speech, police swang into action and increased its presence on roads especially on highways. The police had earlier announced new measures to help curb road accidents, including, hefty penalties to traffic offenders. But the force maintains that the public, including drivers and passengers, must join efforts to ensure road safety. In an interview on Thursday, CIP Emmanuel Kabanda, the Traffic Police spokesperson, told The New Times that any measure would be fruitless if the community doesn’t get involved and own road safety. “Everyone must understand that respecting traffic rules benefits all road users and the community in general,” Kabanda said. “We can increase our presence on the roads, bring in radars or take any other measures but accidents will continue to happen unless the public takes this issue more seriously and partake in enforcing traffic discipline.” He said mindset change is needed if road carnage is to be stopped. “No strategy can help stop accidents except learning to take responsibility, respecting traffic rules, changing our attitudes, and understanding that road safety is a collaborative effort between the Police and the general public,” Kabanda observed. “The Police needs cooperation and partnership in ending road tragedies,” he added. Kabanda urged passengers to stop or report reckless drivers. “Don’t be passive observers in this struggle,” he said. Commuters have constantly been accused of not reporting cases of reckless driving and speeding. Last week, police launched a Road Safety Month campaign aimed at sensitising the public on their role in ensuring road safety. The campaign, according to the police will help reduce deaths and injuries due to road accidents. Joseph Hategekimana, a commercial motorcyclist in Muhanga town, says observing traffic rules will help ensure that no more lives are lost in accidents. Muhanga District mayor Yvonne Mutakwasuku urged drivers to respect and value the lives of passengers. “We can’t fight road accidents without cooperation and support from drivers and the entire public,” Mutakwasuku notes.

National

Road safety: Are citizens performing their role?