Rwanda National Police

The rainy season is here. Whereas this is a good sign to some people like farmers, it can be a hazard for motorists if no precaution is taken.

“It is always advisable to take extra caution when it is raining or after it has rained. Besides dealing with heavy downpour, drivers also have to contend with likely strong winds, which call for one to exercise caution when driving in such weather,” said Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji, the Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety department.

He added: “In case you are driving or riding in the rain, it would be safer to anticipate how to deal with wet roads as well as poor visibility that characterize such weather; as usual your car should be in good condition with head and tail lights, brakes, turn signals, and windshield wipers working. Ensure that tyres are in good shape and properly inflated to contend with the slip.”

He also advised on turning headlights on when it’s raining to challenge the low visibility and fog and to signal the equally affected motorists coming from behind and those from the opposite direction.

“As usual, drive in your lane, go slow, give each driver space, don’t enter flooded roads, stay alert and pull-over where necessary; exercise extra caution when overtaking because heavy rains and fog can affect your visibility,” CP Mujiji advised.

“When driving under such weather conditions, you don’t have to move at 40km/hr or 60km/hr just because the traffic signpost grants that speed; it comes back to your individual responsibility to set your rules below the set maximum speed as the weather dictates. Be a responsible driver and always take safer decisions when on road,” he advised.