Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) extended the road safety awareness campaign dubbed Gerayo Amahoro to higher institutions of learning as part of the strengthened measures to promote road safety.

On Wednesday, the campaign was extended to students of Kigali Institute of Management (KIM) as RNP and partners in road safety continue to reach out to all categories of road users to abide by and be responsive to road safety rules and regulations. 

The focus has shifted to higher institutions of learning after covering hundreds of primary and secondary schools in different parts of the country. 

While speaking to over 500 students of KIM, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson of the Central Region, reminded them to always be vigilant when using the road, either as drivers or pedestrians.

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

“We are in the ongoing campaign called Gerayo Amahoro, which emphasizes positive attitudes, decisions and behaviors when using the road, we urge you to supplement these efforts to save lives. Use the left and safe side of the road when walking, facing the oncoming traffic,” she advised.

The spokesperson outlined some bad behaviors that are mainly observed among the young people that can cause accidents.

“Most of you use phones whether writing or making calls while crossing roads or on motorcycles. Some of you also do not wear helmets safely when on motorcycle; sometimes you do not wear security belt, you have to bear in mind that you are putting your lives at risk".

She added: "Be ambassadors of road security by sensitizing your friends, families and community members on proper road usage."

Emmy Mugabo, one of the students reminded his colleagues that road safety is a shared responsibility, especially to the young people.

“We are the youth, and comprise a big number of Rwandans; if each one of us owns up and takes this message, no doubt it will reach out to many people to create behaviour change on our roads and safety in our country,” Mugabo said.

He added: “As a pedestrian or driver, you wake up in the morning going to run your errands with the purpose of arriving to your destination and coming back safe. We leave home going for our studies and we have to be very safe on these roads but also ensure that everyone is safe, which comes back to each and every one of us on what we can do to prevent errant road users.”