Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the association of owners of driving schools (ANPAER), this Wednesday, extended road safety education to students of University of Kigali (UK), Independent University of Kigali (ULK)-Rubavu campus, IPRC branches in Karongi and Nyamagabe districts.

The road safety education in Higher Learning Institutions commenced last week as Police and partners shifted focus to another group of vulnerable road users, whom they educated on traffic rules and regulations, and ensure positive attitudes that will enable them to stay safe and become more responsible road users.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the Central Region, while speaking to hundreds of students of UK in Kigali, said that road safety education plays a vital role in shaping the attitude and behavior of young people, thereby ensuring that they become responsible drivers or riders, passengers and pedestrians.

“Road safety education is very much essential in today’s world as road traffic is becoming increasingly busy and one of the leading causes of death, compared to the past,” CIP Umutesi.

She noted that behavioral change through public education is the most effective method to influence the conduct of motorists, pedestrians and students in particular.

The spokesperson outlined some bad behaviors that are mainly observed among the young people, which in some cases cause fatal accidents.

“Some of you use phones while crossing the road or on the motorcycle; you do not wear helmets safely when on motorcycle and seatbelt in vehicles. You have to bear in mind that,  when you ignore road safety precautions, you are putting your lives at risk".

“Proper road usage and respect for road traffic signs should be your priority when on the road; it’s for your own safety and that of other road users.”

Charles Kamuru, Director for Public Relations and a lecturer at UK lauded RNP for the good initiative of teaching young people on how safe to use the road adding that it will reduce accidents caused by human behaviors. 

Kamuru reminded the students to always be vigilant when using the road, either as drivers or pedestrians. He also urged them to be ambassadors of road security by sensitizing their friends, families and community members on proper road usage.

The campaign that is being conducted in Higher Learning Institutions countrywide is part of the year-long Gerayo Amahoro launched in May last year to influence behavioural change among all segments of road users on safe usage of road.