• Rwanda proposes bill to modernize 38-year-old traffic laws
• New rules cover speed cameras, drug driving, digital monitoring
• Reform targets road safety, aligns with global transport standards

The Rwandan government submitted a new bill to parliament on Tuesday aimed at better regulating road traffic. The initiative seeks to replace laws that are nearly 38 years old, arguing that current regulations fail to account for technological advancements, new road uses, and modern safety challenges.

According to an explanatory note accompanying the bill, one of its main objectives is to integrate modern tools for traffic control and management, including speed cameras, breathalyzers, and digital monitoring systems. The text also introduces provisions on driving under the influence of drugs, regulation of driving schools, and standards for driving exams.

The government said the reform is part of a broader strategy to modernize the transport sector, which it views as a driver of economic productivity and competitiveness. The move aims to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on the country's roads.

Kigali also seeks to harmonize its regulatory framework with regional and international standards. In the context of rapid population growth and urbanization, the reform could allow Rwanda to better address mobility and safety challenges linked to increased traffic.

Henoc Dossa