The Seatbelt Policy Gap: A Question of Fairness

In Rwanda, traffic laws require drivers and passengers in cars to wear seatbelts, with fines imposed for non-compliance. However, a noticeable inconsistency exists: while private car drivers and their front-seat passengers are penalized for not wearing seatbelts, public transport vehicles like coasters often lack seatbelts for the two front-seat passengers—yet they face no consequences.

This raises a critical question: if seatbelts are mandatory for safety, why aren’t the same rules enforced for public transport vehicles? The logic behind seatbelt laws is to reduce injuries and fatalities in accidents. If this principle applies to private vehicles, it should apply even more to public transport, where passengers rely on the system to prioritize their safety.

A crash involving a bus or coaster could have severe consequences, yet the lack of seatbelts in the front seats goes unchallenged. Authorities often justify this difference by pointing to varying regulations for public and private transport. However, if safety is truly the concern, should there be exceptions? Why are individual car owners strictly fined while public transport passengers in the front seat are not even required to wear seatbelts?

This inconsistency calls for a review of traffic policies. Either seatbelt laws should be enforced uniformly, or authorities should clarify why public transport vehicles are exempt. Safety should not depend on the type of vehicle—it should be a standard for all road users.