KIGALI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda National Police on Monday launched a 52-week national road safety campaign, seeking to reduce traffic accidents by 40 percent by raising more awareness on road safety.
The National Sustainable Road Safety Campaign was launched at separate taxi parks in the capital city Kigali with briefing of motorists and travelers on proper habits on the road, such as strict use of seat belts, respect of zebra crossings and avoidance of mobile phone use when driving.
The campaign is aimed to influence behavior change among all road users because 80 percent of road accidents in Rwanda are caused by human behaviors, said Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, Rwandan Minister of State in charge of Transport in the Ministry of Infrastructure, at a launch event at Nyabugogo Taxi Park.
He urged passengers to play a critical role in reducing road accidents by reporting bad habits such as talking on phone while driving.
During the campaign, all road users including motorists, passengers and pedestrians will be sensitized by traffic officers on their role in ensuring road safety, police spokesperson Jean Bosco Kabera told reporters at the event.
Kabera cited overspeeding, reckless driving and drunk driving among the major causes of road accidents in the country.
At least 465 people were killed and 654 were injured in 2018 due to road accidents, according to the Rwandan police.
