In a statement issued on Saturday, August 3, 2024, the police disclosed that among those arrested in the recent operation were 18 drivers caught operating public service vehicles either without speed governors or with disconnected ones.
Four others were taken into custody for allegedly tampering with and disconnecting the speed governors in vehicles.
"Some of the arrested suspects include those who had disconnected the device, those who modified them to block its GPS, others had altered them in a way that it did not limit them to 60km per hour maximum speed, while others had set them above the speed limit," Police spokesperson Boniface Rutikanga revealed.
He added that some drivers and vehicle owners override the system to switch the device on and off, especially when they notice traffic officers, and have installed switch buttons to help them control the device.
Rutikanga emphasized that speeding is one of the major causes of road accidents and related fatalities, noting, 'Public vehicles, especially those with tampered speed governors, are frequently involved in accidents due to speeding.'
The officer issued a stern warning to drivers and mechanics against engaging in such dangerous practices that endanger lives. He confirmed that operations to enforce the speed governor order are ongoing.
'These continuous operations are in line with the implementation of the February 2015 Presidential Order relating to the installation of speed governors in public service and other commercial vehicles, to control the speed of vehicles, which is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents,' Rutikanga stated.
The police further explained the efficacy of the high-tech speed governor devices, saying, 'The device enforces a strict 60 kilometers per hour speed limit and automatically reduces vehicle speed if an attempt to exceed it is made. It also has a storage computer which allows controllers or traffic officers to check the vehicle's previous speed and detect any tampering.'
With these stringent measures, the police are determined to combat the tricks used by motorists to evade speed limits, ensuring safer roads for all.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-police-bust-drivers-clever-tactics-to-dodge-speed-limits
