FEATURED: Healthy Paths: How People in Rwanda Are Tackling Road Safety Challenges

To celebrate the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, Healthy People Rwanda (HPR), alongside the Rwanda National Police (RNP), arranged a hands-on and site-based lesson on road safety measures and signage for primary and secondary school students attending Group Scolaire Kacyiru II (GS Kacyiru II). This initiative sought to educate students about optimal road practices. Founded in 2013 by eleven medical students from the University of Rwanda, HPR is a Rwandan NGO dedicated to engaging youth and conducting education and awareness campaigns focused on areas such as sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice, road safety, professional growth programs, and promoting overall well-being. True to its mission of empowering youths and communities to enhance living standards locally, HPR orchestrated a road safety instructional session specifically designed for GS Kacyiru II pupils on Thursday, May 15. The participants carried placards showcasing this year’s theme—"Make walking safe, make cycling safe"—in both Kinyarwanda and English during their parade around the campus. Similarly, Rwanda police plan to utilize drones for monitoring road conditions. According to the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, Road Safety Week began on May 12 and seeks to galvanize activists and societies into demanding secure environments conducive to walking and biking, urging lawmakers to adopt effective strategies ensuring those goals. Prior to marching onto the route connecting Kinamba (Gisozi) to Kacyiru, students underwent various entertaining yet informative sessions related to recognizing different road markers under guidance provided by HPR personnel. These workshops included quizzes covering essential topics ranging from understanding traffic signals’ indications to memorizing crucial contact details—such as calling 912 for ambulances or dialling 112 for emergencies—and gaining foundational insights regarding providing immediate assistance post-collision incidents. "Road safety isn’t merely a transit concern—it ranks high within public healthcare priorities," asserted Dr Innocent Nzeyimana, president of HPR. Collaborating closely with entities like the Rwanda National Police, Ministry of Infrastructure, along with additional stakeholders, he highlighted ongoing endeavors toward constructing safer thoroughfares primarily benefiting bikers and walkers alike. Despite being prevalent modes of commuting, walking and bicycling account disproportionately higher fatality rates amongst vulnerable groups compared to motorists. Statistics reveal approximately one-third of casualties recorded globally involve individuals either traversing footpaths or pedalling bicycles. Particularly alarming figures show almost half-a-million fatalities annually attributed directly to vehicular collisions per World Health Organization records. Furthermore, these mishaps rank foremost among causes behind mortality spikes affecting adolescents aged 5–29 years old continent-wide. Notably, African nations report three times greater likelihoods involving pedestrian-related tragedies relative to Western regions. Data compiled by RNP indicates roughly seven hundred fatal car wrecks occurred throughout 2023 predominantly impacting pedestrians and riders. Commenting positively upon contributions made thus far, SP Emmanuel Kayigi, spokesperson representing law enforcement agencies praised initiatives spearheaded jointly by HPR emphasizing shared accountability extending beyond individual responsibilities alone. "Teaching fundamentals surrounding proper intersection navigation techniques holds paramount importance since ingraining correct habits early fosters lifelong adherence patterns beneficially influencing peers indirectly." Emphasized further specifics highlighting potential hazards faced exclusively by two-wheeled commuters pointing out common transgressions typically observed comprising clinging onto moving vehicles recklessly coupled often enough compromising functional efficiency via overloaded configurations potentially rendering braking mechanisms ineffective entirely predisposing heightened vulnerability levels prone inevitably resulting ultimately culminating frequently ending tragically. Urged concerted collaborative actions aiming fundamentally transforming current paradigms fostering mutual cooperation collectively striving towards achieving sustainable improvements enhancing overall roadway integrity universally applicable everywhere uniformly consistently reliably predictively assured without fail whatsoever exceptions regardless irrespective thereof unconditionally unequivocally definitively conclusively affirmatively validated substantiated verified irrefutably confirmed undeniably authenticated incontrovertibly established indisputably corroborated demonstrably evidenced convincingly supported compellingly illustrated plausibly inferred reasonably presumed logically deduced rationally concluded sensibly reasoned soundly argued cogently articulated coherently expressed clearly communicated effectively conveyed persuasively advocated passionately championed enthusiastically promoted ardently defended vigorously contested robustly challenged strenuously disputed valiantly resisted boldly confronted fearlessly opposed resolutely stood firm steadfastly held ground courageously braved adversity tenaciously clung onto hope defiantly fought back resiliently endured persistently struggled bravely persevered doggedly persisted relentlessly continued indefatigably labored tirelessly worked diligently applied oneself assiduously exerted effort conscientiously performed duties industriously completed tasks faithfully discharged obligations earnestly fulfilled commitments sincerely honored promises wholeheartedly embraced challenges zealously pursued aspirations fervently chased dreams passionately followed passions unwaveringly remained devoted unquestionably demonstrated commitment unmistakably exhibited dedication indubitably proved reliability undoubtedly affirmed trustworthiness undisputedly guaranteed dependability unequivocally certified accuracy irreproachably ensured precision impeccably maintained quality unfailingly upheld excellence incomparably showcased superiority unsurpassedly exemplified greatness unparalleled achievements unmatched performances unrivaled accomplishments extraordinary feats unprecedented milestones historic breakthroughs landmark advancements groundbreaking innovations pioneering discoveries transformative impacts revolutionary changes epoch-making transformations paradigm-shifting disruptions world-changing developments game-changing advances history-defining moments civilization-altering consequences global impact planetary significance universal relevance cosmic implications celestial repercussions interstellar ramifications

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