Rwanda National Police

The rear registration number must be lit as a traffic rule. 

Like vehicles, the plate light makes the motorcycle more visible especially at night, for your safety and that of other road users.

Some taxi-moto operators violate this safety traffic regulation, which has called for enforcement.

In the night of March 21, the department of Traffic and Road Safety impounded 230 motorcycles, which had no plate light.

While the motorcycles were handed back to owners on Friday, March 22, these operations are continuous to penalize violators and to further promote road security.

"230 motorcycles impounded in Kigali in one night is a big number that threatens road safety, including yours. Be accustomed to having plate light, especially at night to avoid being knocked by vehicles," Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, the Rwanda National Police spokesperson, told taxi-moto operators.

He enlightened them on the ongoing nationwide Gerayo Amahoro road safety campaign to educate motorists to have all the required traffic related documents, ensure that motor-vehicles are roadworthy, avoid any practices that can destruct the driver or rider; passengers to be vigilant against their reckless drivers as well as all groups of pedestrians to use the road safely.

"Avoid riding while under the influence of alcohol; speeding, wrong and bad maneuvers, reckless overtaking, violating traffic lights and pedestrian walkways because these are some of the violations contributing to fatal accidents," ACP Rutikanga told the commercial motorcyclists.

Taxi-moto operators are some of the leading causes of road accidents.

Out of 89 road accidents registered between January and February this year, 16 of them were caused by reckless taxi-moto operators. This resulted into 19 fatalities, including 10 taxi-moto operators, six passengers and three pedestrians.

During the same period, 365 riders were found riding without a driver's license.

Some 194 motorcycles were also impounded for lack of moto insurance, other 94 had no transport authorization; 12 motos had their plate numbers altered to beat traffic enforcement cameras or to prevent being identified in the event of traffic violation; 212 taxi-moto operators were caught for riding while drunk, while 50 others were found transporting passengers and big luggage.