The Rwanda National Police (RNP) department of Traffic and Road Safety has impounded more 276 vehicles without the mandatory mechanical inspection certificate, in its ongoing enforcements to improve road security.
The public transport vehicles, school buses, light and heavy trucks were impounded in City of Kigali and on varied highway across the country, according to Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Irené Irere, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department.
“The 276 vehicles were impounded in the operations conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, in addition to other 199 impounded on the first day of enforcement on Monday,” SSP Irere said.
He added: “Road safety is a sensitive aspect and a cross-sector issue involving public health, security and development. All regulations to save lives must be fully respected, including mandatory vehicle mechanical inspection.
We remind car owners to be responsible, ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and that involves respect for mandatory periodic inspection, among others.”
Private vehicles are subjected to mechanical inspection every after one year while trucks and passenger service vehicles are inspected every six months.
Automobile inspection is mandated by the Presidential Decree No. 85/01 of September 2, 2002.
The Decree, partly, stipulates that owners of vehicles using public roads without a mechanical inspection certificate will be liable to a fine of Frw25, 000.
“Beside fines, we also educate motorists on road security but also escort vehicles found with expired or without the roadworthy certificate are escorted to the nearest Automobile Inspection Centre in Kigali, Musanze, Rwamagana and Huye.” (End).