[PHOTOS]: Police Week: Child protection, road safety take centre stage

The buildup to the sixteenth anniversary of the Rwanda National Police (RNP) entered the final phase, yesterday, with a focus on the well-being of children and road safety. RNP was created on June 16, 2000. Statistics from police indicate that over the last five months, ten children died in road accidents and while 53 others were injured. Rwamagana. This year’s ‘Police Week’ drive – an annual campaign – is being conducted under the theme; “Stand up for Child Protection.” The Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety Department, George Rumanzi, called on the public to play a more active role in ensuring compliance to road safety measures. Bugesera. “We believe compliance to road traffic laws goes hand-in-hand with effective enforcement mechanisms. We also believe that more can be achieved, especially in preventing road accidents, if everyone took it upon themselves to report any traffic offender,” Rumanzi said. “Vehicle owners must ensure that their vehicles’ conditions conform to existing traffic rules and regulations. Also, public service vehicles or school buses must comply with the requirements set by the regulator – the Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA).” Rwamagana. Emmanuel Kalinda, from the Vehicle Inspection Directorate, also urged motor vehicle owners to always ensure their cars are in a proper mechanical condition to prevent road accidents. “Every vehicle must have a Mechanical Vehicle Inspection certificate that’s been acquired through proper channels. People should refrain from using fraudulent means to acquire the certificates and putting people’s lives at risk,” Kalinda said. Bugesera. Between January and May, 27 people have been arrested in connection to fake motor vehicle certificates or attempting to bribe officers to illegally acquire such certificates. Commercial vehicles are required to undergo an inspection every six months while private individual cars have to undergo an inspection annually. The ‘Police Week’ ends today after a series of activities that included adding fresh coats of paint to zebra-crossings. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS]: Police Week: Child protection, road safety take centre stage