The Chamber of Deputies has adopted a new legal provision criminalising the refusal by motorists to stop when ordered to do so by police officers or other authorised law enforcement officials, a move authorities say is intended to strengthen road safety and public order.
Under the provision, any driver who deliberately ignores a lawful stop order issued by a police officer, an investigator, or another legally mandated authority commits a criminal offence.
Upon conviction, the offender faces a fine ranging from Rwf 400,000 to Rwf 700,000, as well as a prison sentence of between three and six months.
Lawmakers say the measure targets motorists who flee police checkpoints or traffic stops, behaviour that has been linked to road accidents and threats to the safety of law enforcement officers and other road users.
The provision was adopted as part of amendments to legislation governing road use and traffic management.
However, the law has sparked debate among sections of the public, with some citizens questioning both its scope and timing.
Critics point to a recent high-profile case in which a well-known public figure was involved in the killing of a police officer during the early hours of the morning, arguing that the new provision may have been influenced by the shock and emotion surrounding that rare incident.
One Kigali resident, who requested anonymity, cautioned against legislating in response to exceptional cases. “This law appears emotionally triggered,” he said. “Incidents like that are extremely rare in Rwanda, largely because public obedience to the law is very high.”
The resident described the provision as “misguided and potentially dangerous” if not clearly framed. “It does not sufficiently address situations where a motorist may genuinely be uncertain about whether a police officer has ordered them to stop,” he said.
“In such circumstances, a driver could be punished even when there was no clear intent to defy the law.”
Legal observers note that while the aim of protecting officers and enforcing compliance is legitimate, the law does not clearly spell out safeguards for cases involving ambiguity, including how stop orders should be issued, communicated, or identified, particularly during night operations.
Supporters of the measure argue that it is designed to deter deliberate defiance and will be enforced within existing professional standards governing police conduct.
The provision is expected to take effect following promulgation.
As public debate continues, attention is likely to focus on how the law will be implemented and whether additional guidelines will be introduced to ensure proportionality and protect citizens’ rights in a country where serious confrontations between motorists and police remain uncommon.
