Rwandan senators have called for the introduction of fatigue testing for drivers, warning that exhaustion is becoming an overlooked but deadly contributor to road accidents.
Speaking during the Senate Plenary on Friday, November 28, 2025, Senator Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu criticized the current limitations that allow police to test for alcohol but not fatigue.
“It is worrying that police cannot detect driver exhaustion. They can measure alcohol levels, but checking fatigue remains a major gap,” he said, noting that many truck and public-transport drivers cause accidents simply because they are overtired.
The Senate was reviewing a report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security on the implementation of road-safety measures. Senators expressed concern over persistent weaknesses despite a sharp rise in accidents nationwide.
Senator Marie Rose Mureshyankwano drew attention to the chronic shortage of motorcycle parking spaces in Kigali. She said the scarcity forces riders onto streets and sidewalks, creating disorder and increasing the risk of crashes.
Committee Chairperson Senator Murangwa Ndangiza Hadidja explained that the number of motorcycles in Rwanda has tripled over the past three years, yet designated parking has not grown accordingly.
“When we met with the City of Kigali, they acknowledged the problem and said they are working on a solution. They plan to ensure that all parking areas include designated spaces for motorcycles and bicycles,” she said.
The Senate Plenary also resolved to request the Government to introduce strict regulations for vehicle garages and enhance oversight to ensure they contribute to road-safety efforts.
Findings from the committee reveal a troubling rise in traffic incidents: in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, 22,509 accidents occurred across the country, claiming 1,470 lives. Pedestrians accounted for 34 percent of the fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for stronger preventive measures.
