Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame on Friday announced that he had talked to the police about revising the low speed limits that caused an uproar in the country this week.
“The speed should not be so high that it leads to accidents, nor should it be so low that people never get where they are going. I have spoken to National Police officials,” President Kagame said during a ceremony rewarding top taxpayers across the country on the 19th Taxpayers Appreciation Day.
President Kagame’s comment comes after some back-and-forth between members of the public, journalists, and the traffic police over the low speed limits, even on highways, and the fines for overspeeding that residents say are hefty.
Earlier in the week, residents argued that the speed limits are too low and fines are unreasonable while the police responded that traffic laws should be obeyed.
Rwanda installed traffic cameras in strategic sections of roads to monitor road users and enhance road safety.
The traffic enforcement cameras are set to fine every vehicle that breaches speed limits of as low as 30-40km per hour. The maximum speed limit in Rwanda is 80km per hour. Contravention against a respective speed limit results in a fine of Rwf25,000 (approximately $24) which increases to Rwf35,000 ($34) if not paid within two days.
