Motorists who commit heavy traffic offences will have their licenses revoked instead of paying fines, the Minister of Internal Security said, Friday. While addressing journalists about the new directive, Sheikh Mussa Fazil Harerimana said the law has been in existence since 1987. “The law to seize permits of drivers who commit heavy offences has been there for the last 25 years but it was not implemented. It’s now going to be implemented with immediate effect,” Harerimana said.He said the National Road Traffic Act of 1987 article number 10, 15, 17, 18, 19 up to 23 is clear regarding this matter, and currently grants powers to the courts to cancel driving licences for drivers arrested for heavy traffic offences.“The traffic offenders whose driving permits will be seized are those arrested after causing an accident and immediately disappear from the accident scene, reckless driving resulting into death or injury to passengers, drivers caught more than three times committing traffic offences,” he explained.Drivers stopped from driving by the doctors due to health reasons and ignore the doctor’s directive, once caught, their licenses will also be annulled. The minister further said fines will apply to minor offences but warned heavier punishments like seizure of licences would be imposed on repeat offenders.Previously, traffic offenders paid fines even when they had committed serious offences.Harerimana said the new directive is part of the campaign to enforce discipline on the roads and cut down on road carnage.
