Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with National Commission for Children (NCC) and the union of driving schools in Rwanda (ANPAER), on Friday, continued the series of road safety education to high school students and their teachers across the country.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji, the Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety Department, while addressing students of Nu-Vision school urged them to use the road safely and be ambassadors of road safety.

“Students use the road everyday either as passengers or pedestrians, and that itself makes them vulnerable to accidents. You should understand what road safety is, be good ambassadors of Gerayo Amahoro, make it reach where police officers cannot be; in your homes, neighbors and friends,” CP Mujiji said.

He reminded them to use the road properly respecting traffic rules and regulations when walking or crossing the road.

“Always walk on the left side of the road, avoid playing in the middle roads, always look on the right, left and then right again to be safe before crossing the roads. Cross fast but don’t run, while in vehicle avoid standing or leaning out of the window."

"Remember that using phones or headphones while crossing the road is dangerous, it can distract you and cause an accident."

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Felly Bahizi Rutagerura.

At Lycée de Kigali (LDK), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Felly Bahizi Rutagerura, the Central region Police Commander reminded students to be careful whenever on the road.

"Safety should be your priority in everything you do, and that includes being cautious when using the road," ACP Rutagerura told the students.

Martin Masabo, LDK Head-teacher.

He added: "Always remember that roads are used by many people; cars, motorcycle or bicycle are using the same road, they can hit you, so minimize risks and behave well on the road. Be responsible, any reckless acts on road can provoke a fatal accident."

“You have to live longer. Besides studying and healthy feeding to live well add road safety education... road accidents are among major causes of early deaths."

ACP Rutagerura said that RNP is doing everything possible to minimize road accidents but urged students to play their role to stay safe.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Teddy Ruyenzi.

“We are teaching citizens through various campaigns, we deploy police officers on roads and we are using technology like speed governors installed in vehicles to regulate speed, CCTV cameras on roads and vehicle mechanical inspection. So, the government is playing its part but individual responsibility is key."

Martin Masabo, LDK Head-teacher thanked RNP for taking road safety education to the young people.

“There are many things students tend to ignore that may cause accidents," Masabo observed.

“We have over 1, 300 students and among them 1000 are day-scholars, they use roads on daily basis, morning and evening but many of them were not aware of some helpful road sign posts, now they know and understand them, and their responsibilities to respect traffic rules for their own safety,” Masabo added.

He noted that their school is near the road and in town, which makes students vulnerable.

Masabo said that they will keep on teaching their students to make sure proper road usage becomes an attitude.

"We have experienced some road accident cases in the past involving our teachers and students mainly because of motorcycles; by continuously teaching them, we hope to influence preventive behaviours."