Road safety week ends

The week dedicated to observing national road safety ended yesterday with a call for all road users to be responsible and do what is expected of them to improve security on the roads. Officiating at the closing talk show that was also broadcast live on Rwanda Television and radio, Infrastructure Minister Linda Bihire regretted that retard development, a national issue that should not be undermined. “80 to 90 percent of all deaths on the road are due to drunken driving, use of drugs and over speeding, they continue to rock the country,” Bihire said. She added that technical problems and the conditions of the roads were also some of the issues to be addressed if road safety is to be enhanced. Bihire revealed that the government plans to revise the law governing road usage to consolidate the issuing of driving licences and increase the number of competent driving schools on top of transforming the roads to international standards. “We have already signed a contract with an English company to put sign posts along the roads where they are missing and ensuring that insurance companies do not violate the conditions under which they operate,” she said. She added: “Much as the police and other authorities like the ministry of infrastructure work to improve the conditions, the consciousness of the driver and passengers is the main tool to sustainable road safety,” said she. Supt. Robert Niyonshuti, the commander of traffic police hailed all those who helped during the week to promote road safety. “I thank all civilians, the press and every stakeholder who participated in promoting our campaign this week,” Niyonshuti said. At the closing function the Acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahonzire emphasized the need to involve the public by training instructors in driving schools and mechanics to improve traffic management. “Management of transport companies and services, creating a database where any information can be easily accessed will take centre stage as we begin the New Year,” Gahonzire said. She also disclosed the latest development of installing speed governing cameras along the street to help traffic police in executing their responsibility. “Our work will be simplified and no one will have to complain that the police is practicing injustice in the way they determine over speeding as some people claim,” she said. Ends

National

Road safety week ends