Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP), Special Guarantee Fund (SFG) and the Federation of commercial motorcyclists in its French acronym FERWACOTAMO, launched a series of joint road safety education campaign on Tuesday, which mainly focuses on behavioral change and proper road usage among taxi-moto operators.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, while speaking to about 500 motorcyclists, said that motorcycles remain the major cause or involved in fatal accidents.

“Thirty five people have died on motorcycles between January and March this year due to careless and deadly maneuvers, alcohol abuse and over-speeding,” SSP Ndushabandi said.

He said that other taxi-moto riders have resorted to the use of energy enhancing substances and illicit drugs, which affects their judgment whilst riding.

“The aim of this education campaign is to build a robust capability of riders, change their behaviors to counter and eliminate the menace of road safety regulations abuses,” noted SSP Ndushabandi.

“I urge all of you to adhere to the road safety standards because by not doing so, you will be endangering your lives and those of other road users,” said SSP Ndushabandi.

Joseph Nzabonankuze, the Director General (DG) of the Special Guarantee Fund noted that some motorcyclists continue to operate without insurance cover which has caused “untold suffering” to their families after accidents.

Nzabonankuze explained that last year, they received 190 claims for compensation where by 99 were motorcycles that were not insured.

“The road transport sector is considered one of the most important sectors to growth and development of our country; not only does it play a significant role in the movement of goods and persons, but also in economic terms such as a source of wealth creation and employment,” Nzabonankuze added.

The Cabinet meeting, early this month, approved the motorcycle transport strategy.

Daniel Ngarambe, the president of FERWACOTAMO, said that there about 6,000 commercial motorcyclists in the City of Kigali alone, and that all of them will go through this training and acquire certificate.