How Often Do You Respect Zebra Crossings?

By Rwanda National Police.

It’s a legal requirement for motorists to slow down or stop when approaching a Zebra Crossing, also known as a marked crosswalk, to give pedestrians the right of way.

These black and white stripes on the road provide a safe passage for pedestrians and must be respected to ensure their safety. Zebra Crossings are essential for maintaining peaceful and safe interactions between pedestrians and motor vehicle traffic flow. But how often do you actually stop your vehicle when a pedestrian steps onto the crossing?

Violating pedestrian rights and driving recklessly through Zebra Crossings can have fatal consequences. In January and February alone, there were 36 road accidents at Zebra Crossings in different parts of the country, resulting in five fatalities.

On Monday, March 4, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) launched the Gerayo Amahoro road safety campaign to address this problem and save lives. This fresh road safety awareness campaign targets motorists on roads and highways nationwide, educating them on pedestrian rights, the importance of respecting Zebra Crossings, and fostering a culture of responsibility, compliance, patience, and observance on the road.

The campaign also aims to educate pedestrians and passengers, as they too play a crucial role in road safety. At times, even drivers, motorcyclists, and passengers become pedestrians. Educating pedestrians is equally important.

While they have priority at Zebra Crossings, it’s essential for them to use them cautiously. Pedestrians should ensure that motor vehicles have come to a complete stop before crossing. Always remember to look left, right, and left again before crossing to ensure your safety.

Safety should always come first, and it’s both an individual and collective responsibility. We must all strive to reach our destinations safely, as lost lives cannot be replaced.

GERAYO AMAHORO!

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