Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has warned motorists against reckless driving behaviours which continue to claim people's lives

The caution follows an incident on Sunday when a vehicle, Benz RAC 907E went off the road in Ruhango District ramming into River Ruhondo and killing all the six people on board.

The accident occurred at about 9:30am along Kirengeri-Buhanda feeder road in Mwendo Sector.

Police identified the victims as Michel Kanyandekwe, 31, the driver, Theogene Niyomwungeri, 37, and Joseph Habumugisha, 52, all from Kigali; Therese Dushimimana, 24, and Ereda Mukarubuga, 64, from Ruhango and Huye,  respectively.

Another victim, a woman, was yet to be identified by press time.

The deceased were headed to Mwendo Sector in Ruhango District from Kigali.

RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera attributed the fatal accident to speeding.

It is said that the bridge on River Ruhondo startled the driver, who was speeding on the feeder road, losing control and ramming into the river.

Police and residents intervened and managed to retrieve all the bodies from the river.

"Majority accidents are caused by reckless behaviours of drivers, this is why the ongoing Gerayo Amahoro (arrive safely) campaign focuses mainly on behavioural change not only to respect traffic rules but also to take personal precautions depending on the status of the road or weather," CP Kabera said.

Some of the human behaviours blamed for fatal accidents include speeding, use of phone while driving, drunk-driving and  overtaking in corners.