Every year, over 1,500 people are killed in traffic accidents on Rwanda’s roads. In a bold move to address this crisis, the Rwanda National Police has announced that it is now using drone technology to monitor road safety, crimes, and traffic violations.
This technology is an addition to the cameras used for speed monitoring of vehicles. According to the police, the drones are part of a broader plan to enhance their traffic monitoring capabilities.
As Police Spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga explained, “The police have a plan to incorporate drones into their daily operations to enhance efficiency.” But the benefits of drone technology extend far beyond just traffic monitoring, as the police spokesperson highlighted.
For example, drones have been instrumental in combating illegal mining activities in areas such as Rutongo, Kamonyi, and Rwamagana, as well as identifying areas where environmental damage is occurring. The police spokesperson also noted other uses of drones in Rwanda, including transporting blood for patients across hospitals and health centers, delivering pig semen to farmers, and collecting data related to land use.
