Kigali, 09 September 2025, The plenary sitting of the Chamber of Deputies has approved the relevance of the draft law governing road traffic, a bill aimed at addressing existing legal gaps, integrating modern technology, and strengthening road safety measures

Currently, road traffic is regulated under Law No. 34/1987 of 17 September 1987, a framework that has remained unchanged for nearly four decades, despite the rapid growth and transformation in the transport sector. Over the years, the law has been implemented through various presidential and ministerial orders, but it no longer adequately responds to the realities of today’s traffic management.

The existing law does not sufficiently address emerging challenges such as the use of drugs while driving, structured driver training, or the integration of technology into traffic control. For instance, it lacks clear provisions on alcohol testing, speed limit enforcement cameras, and a demerit points system for driving licenses.

The omission of traffic penalties in the 2018 Penal Code, which had previously been included in the 2012 Penal Code, has also created a legal gap, making it difficult to effectively sanction offenders.

The new draft law introduces several reforms expected to improve road safety significantly. These include a demerit and merit point system for driving licenses to monitor and correct driver behaviour, clear regulations for driving schools and standardised procedures for conducting driving tests, the use of alcohol testing devices and speed cameras, stronger penalties tailored to the severity of offences, and vehicle load control and inspection procedures to improve roadworthiness.

By addressing long-standing legal shortcomings and adopting modern traffic management practices, the new law is expected to reduce accidents, improve compliance among road users, and safeguard lives across the country.