Rwanda National Police

The road safety campaign was on July 15 extended to commercial motorcyclists in Rubavu District as the department of Traffic and Road Safety continues to ensure behaviour change of various road users on the road.

Majority fatalities on road are caused by inappropriate behaviours on road, according to statistics.

While addressing the motorcyclists at Umuganda stadium, the mayor of Rubavu District Gilbert Habyarimana observed the development goes with preventing loss of lives.

He challenged them to always make personal and collective efforts towards road safety by observing all traffic rules and regulations.

"As you leave your homes going to work and transporting passengers from one place to another, safety should be your priority," the mayor told motorcyclists.

The meeting was also attended by Prof. Jean-Bosco Harerimana, the Director General of Rwanda Cooperatives Agency (RCA).

On his part, Senior Supt. Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi, the Spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, said that most motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents are over speeding, bad maneuvers and other deadly riding behaviours.

Police statistics indicate that 38 per cent of all fatalities registered in this year's first four months were either caused by or involved motorcyclists.

Overall, road accidents dropped by 5.5 per cent during the same period; however, those caused by motorcycles increased by 15 per cent.

They were also urged to fight traffic, sell and use of illicit drugs.

“Some of your colleagues have been arrested for either having a deliberate role in narcotic drug business or for facilitating in traffickers," SSP Ndushabandi said.

The Traffic Spokesperson also advised them to always comply and stop whenever they are asked to.

Daniel Ngarambe, the president of the federation of motorcyle cooperatives (FERWACOTAMO), appealed to the his members in Rubavu, to always observe traffic rules with or without supervision of traffic police officers on roads.

“Normally, most of you take advantage of absence of traffic police officers on roads, and speed up, or do risky maneuvers and overtaking in risky places. These behaviours should stop," Ngarambe said.