English
Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police (RNP) convened a meeting with motorcycle taxi operators in Nyagatare District on Wednesday, May 28, to enhance road safety, and underscored the importance of adhering to operational standards.
The meeting is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) and Health People Rwanda (HPR) under the theme: “The Right Helmet, Safety for Your Head
It underscores the importance of wearing helmets to enhance the safety of both riders and passengers.
The countrywide outreach advocates for the use of certified helmets while urging motorcyclists to embrace disciplined and professional riding practices that significantly reduce the incidence of road accidents.
Alfred Byiringiro, the Chief Technical Advisor for Transport at MININFRA, highlighted the extensive consequences of road accidents.
“As a motor rider or even those using vehicles or pedestrian, a single accident affects many,” he said. “An accident can leave you disabled, even if it doesn’t kill you. It can destroy your future, your family’s wellbeing, and the service you could provided to your country.”
He also urged riders to hold each other accountable.
“Sometimes we see people without road traffic documents like insurance or driver's licenses, transporting children or expecting mothers – and the police hesitates to chase them for fear of causing more danger. Hold your errant colleagues accountable by reporting them. In many other countries, motorcycle taxis are even banned in cities. Don’t take this trust for granted.”
Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Vincent Habintwari, the Deputy Commissioner at Traffic and Road Safety department in charge of Motorcyclists, reminded riders of the importance of shared responsibility among riders to uphold safety and adhere to legal standards in their profession.
“We will continue educating you, but also enforcing laws where necessary to eliminate misconduct that cause fatal accidents. We enforce the rules to protect you and ensure that only qualified people are in this profession,” CSP Habintwari said.
He highlighted key areas of concern including lack of proper traffic related documents, reckless driving, and riding under the influence of alcohol.
“Let’s make motorcycle transport a profession and a respected job. That means having the required documents, using bikes with proper plates, wearing standard helmets, and ensuring your passengers wear them too.”
Eric Kabanda, a standards officer at RSB, provided valuable insights to attendees regarding helmet safety standards and highlighted the country's initiative to use only certified helmets.
“A proper helmet is one that meets safety standards, and we have specific methods to test and verify that. That’s why the country established a special laboratory to test helmets,” Kabanda said.
“Our laboratory is equipped with the latest tools, and helmets that pass the tests will carry a standards label. We urge you all to buy helmets that meet these safety standards for your own protection,” Kabanda added.
The meeting concluded with a call for strong collaboration between public institutions and motorcycle taxi operators to enhance the moto transport sector and ensure the safety of people on roads.
