At least 73 vehicles have been impounded in the the Western and Southern provinces in an operation to enforce the national compulsory speed governor policy.
The impounded vehicles are those that transport people, mainly coaster buses, and those that transport goods, which fall under the speed governor policy.
The operation was conducted on Saturday by the Rwanda National Police department of Traffic and Road Safety, and Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA).
The spokesperson for the traffic department, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kabanda, said: “The vehicles were impounded in the districts of Rubavu, Nyabihu, Ngororero and Muhanga.”
Up to 42 vehicles were impounded in Rubavu; 12 in Nyabihu; 7 in Ngororero; and 12 in Muhanga.
“This is a national road safety policy that was instituted under the Presidential decree of 2015 to prevent accidents, which has to be respected,” CIP Kabanda said.
“We also understand there are those, who installed the devices but manipulated them. We have received these reports from traffic officers on highways and even passengers, and previously we have also intercepted vehicles in this category. So, this specific operation will continue in all regions targeting vehicles that either have no speed governors or those who manipulated them,” CIP Kabanda warned.
The device limit the vehicle to a maximum speed of 60km per hour.
“There was ample grace period of more than a year for owners of vehicles that transport people (coasters and buses) and goods to install speed governors. By this time, every vehicle should be having the device, and well functioning.”
The spokesperson also warned that any vehicle that will be found without speed governor or with the devices that are tampered with, will be impounded and automatically lose the mechanical inspection certificate, on top of other penalties specified by the law.
“Safety of road users is a must, and that’s why such and many other policies were put in place to prevent fatal accidents. We urge vehicles owners to act responsibly rather than being forced. We also appeal to passengers to continue supporting the implementation process by reporting vehicles without these devices or manipulated, ” Kabanda said.
RNP
UM– USEKE.RW
