Rwanda National Police

All commercial motorists must always carry documents such as permits and identifications while they conduct their daily businesses in order to ensure accountability and safety on road usage.

The message was delivered in light of events that occurred on January 8, when in an operation conducted in Nyagatare District; Police impounded eight commercial motorcycles whose riders had no documents authorizing them to engage in the activity.

The Police Spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, Chief Inspector of Police, Emmanuel Kabanda, said that the operation discovered that the riders of the impounded motorcycles neither possessed legal documents authorizing them to carry passengers on commercial basis, nor permits allowing them to ride.

“It is paramount that every motorist seeks for all necessary documents before they can engage in this business; otherwise, they put their passengers’ lives and other road users at risk,” CIP Kabanda said.

“Respecting Road regulations is paramount. Police will not tolerate the unnecessary risks brought about by reckless road users who fail the tests required to acquire legal documents and instead opt to break the law by illegally transporting people.”

Last year, Police conducted numerous road safety campaigns condemning careless road users. Among the campaigns included a traffic week in April 2014 and Traffic Month in Aug and Sept, which significantly contributed to a reduction in road accidents.

The government is also considering tougher rules to punish traffic offenders in a bid to improve road safety.

Rwanda National police also partnered with Rwanda utilities regulatory agency to commission a study assessing the possibility of withdrawing a driving license in case a driver violates traffic rules.

Important as well, Police constantly warns Commercial motorcyclists over the habit of facilitating criminals such as thieves and drug traffickers.