Rwanda National Police

By ACP Désiré TWIZERE

Road traffic safety refers to the methods and measures used to prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. Typical road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, passengers and all categories of vehicles on the roads.

Roads are the arteries of a country; they are the networks of the lifelines that keep the country healthy and intact. Stoppages in the arteries damage the heart and lead to death. It is the same with the country. Unsafe roads lead to a certain level of damage to the nation. Safe roads are as important to the national life as are safe arteries to a healthy body.

Roads are a public utility network. The Government builds and maintains roads for the public good… safe roads are its responsibility. The State meets the responsibility through its engineering, transport and traffic Police dockets. However, this does not prevent the public public as well, has a responsibility towards safer roads. In fact, the role of the public in the matter, as the ultimate beneficiary of the road-network, is the key to safe roads in any country.

The public constitutes the present and future human resource of a country. Thus, safe roads are as much its responsibility as it is the government’s. The builders of country’s come from the public and their ideas constitute its direction. As citizens, members of the public have responsibilities towards the country, which in turn strives to put in place conducive environment for prosperity and future prospects for very public’s benefit. Contributing to safe roads is one of those responsibilities.

Road users must know the importance of traffic regulations and adhere to them. Respecting rights of other road users should not be upheld by fear of legal repercussions, but by choice because, as responsible citizens, they understand the importance of road safety.

Drivers and motorcyclists always have a tendency to violate traffic control light, overtaking places when it is not allowed or at dangerous bends. Other breaches include violating pedestrian crosswalks, speeding, driving/riding while drunk or using the phone while driving, to name but a few. Such inappropriate behaviours result into serious injuries or fatalities.

Transportation is one the drivers of civilization. This is a very profound truth. Without transport and the movement of goods and people, advancement of a civilization and culture would be hindered. The increase in the standards of living in many countries in the world in recent years has been almost entirely due to the strides made in transport especially by the introduction of the motor-vehicle with its flexibility and ability to get into places.

Laws are in place to regulate transportation including on roads; law enforcers are there to implement the rules and regulations but that is not enough. Members of the public are the ones to comply with the established traffic laws in order to avoid accidents caused by negligence or deliberate and reckless actions on the road.

The role of the public is to learn the laws and follow them. If mishandled, the car, the motorcycle or bicycle can be a cause of death at anytime; therefore every road user ought to be in control by driving or riding responsibly. SAFETY FIRST. GERAYO AMAHORO.