Kigali    11^th August, 2014-, the emergency meeting was held at the Rwanda National Police Headquarters to come up with measures that would reduce tremendous road accidents in the Country.

The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Infrastructure in conjunction with the Ministry of Internal Security as well as with different stakeholders including the National Police, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Health, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), all transporters, driving school operators in the Country.

The meeting was officially opened by the Minister of Infrastructure, Honorable James MUSONI and his remarks focused on the reckless drivers that could be hit by tough penalties as the government mulls increasing fines, some by as much as nine times, to curb traffic accidents.

The emergency meeting is aimed at coming with measures of reducing the tremendous road accidents that are occurring excessively, where the government would not sit back as people die needlessly in road accidents.

The measures literary goes mostly to Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and commercial vehicles especially Lorries from 5 tones plying upcountry roads.

Confiscating driving licenses, installing speed governors in PSVs and heavy trucks, adding vigilance and efforts in vehicle mechanical inspection as well as sensitizing road users are some of the new measures.

The process of implementing the new measures starts immediately, apart from speed governors which were not yet on the market and the government would issue guidelines that will help fast-track their procurement  by private entrepreneurs.

According to art 42 of the law 34/1987 relating to Traffic Police and Road Traffic , this provision  allows competent agents  to increase punitive measures for traffic offenders nine-fold with the aim of ensuring road safety.

The highest fine for the drunkard drivers in this law on its article 10 is 20,000 Rwf, Speaking on the phone while driving, not fastening a safety belt or failure to insure a vehicle, each of which used to attract a fine of Rwf10,000 fine could go up to Rwf90,000.

Relevant laws are under revision, more speed bumps and road signs would be put up in all black spots countrywide for more safety.

Measures are also going to be set up to halt the tendency of converting vehicles from Right Hand to Left Hand Drive and Police would also increase highway patrols and encourage more collaboration between stakeholders such as public transport companies, the Ministry of Internal Security, and driving schools.

It was  decided that a maximum number of working hours be established for drivers to give them enough rest and allow a vehicle’s system to cool off, especially near accident prone areas.

It was also resolved that emergency facilities be decentralized to provinces and some districts so that victims of road accidents get help faster.

The transport operators welcomed the new measures and called on the government to help them acquire speed governors and also supported that talking on phone while driving to be checked seriously as it is the cause of road accidents identified.

The meeting agreed that vehicle number plates, and emergency phone numbers be put in areas where commuters can see them so that they can report reckless behavior by drivers.

The Minister of Internal Security Sheik Mussa Fazil Harelimana also proposed that CCTV cameras be installed in Public Service Vehicles.

The manner in which bus companies shared routes in the City of Kigali should also be employed on upcountry routes to enhance the system and check accidents, since it has been effective in the city and the government will consider this since the city arrangement has helped curb accidents.

The deadly road accidents distress owners of driving schools too. The defensive driving courses are given extra clout, aimed to reduce the risk of collision by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others.

The passengers also are called upon to report bad driving using any channel including Police Toll free lines.