Rwanda National Police

On Saturday, three accidents were registered across the country killing one person and injuring two others. It is believed all the three incidents were due to carelessness of drivers and over speeding.

This is unacceptable.

Fortunate enough, these are preventable incidents if drivers take into consideration the human-side of their profession and action.

For years now, the Rwanda National Police has spent time and resources investing in ‘incident-prevention’ measures.

Talk about periodic countrywide community road safety awareness, establishment of mechanical inspection centres, easy and fastest way of acquiring driver’s licence, radio spots and talk-shows.

Recently, the RNP and other institutions charged with ensuring road safety, came up with other stringent measures to curb down the rate of road accidents and to deal with defiant drivers.

Among them was the establishment of roadside stations for drivers to rest after that long drive, installing speed governors in public vehicles and heavy truck, putting hotlines in vehicles.

The RNP department of Traffic and Road Safety has also acquired hi-tech speed laiser gadgets used to measure the speed of vehicles and has started training officers on how to use these radars.

All these are meant to prevent loss of a life. Life is valuable…it’s irreplaceable.

These are not enough. The best way to prevent these life-taking incidents starts with the driver; respecting those roadside posts, limit your speed, avoid overtaking in deadly places, don’t drink and drive, don’t drive under stress, check the mechanical status of your automobile before hitting that road.

Remember, as a driver, you hold the life of all those on board, in your hands. I bet, you curse a driver who puts the life of your son, daughter, relative or friend on the line. Don’t do that to others.

Passengers can also play a great part if you report those over speeding drivers, those that drive while drunk or speaking on phone.

There are hotlines hanging in that public vehicle you are traveling in; use them to save your life and that of others.

You can also call police toll-free line 112 and 113 if you feel the vehicle you are traveling in or passed where you are, is moving in a deadly manner. Together, we can prevent a life.