Tuwurinde Project
TUWURINDE PROJECT “Let’s protect the head”
Background
Road traffic crashes continues to be among the highest cause of deaths around the World. Cyclists, motorcyclist and pedestrians are the most vulnerable on road. Powered two-wheeler (PTW) crashes cause 28% of globalRTIs. They make up over half of the registered vehicle fleet in Rwanda and they are involved in roaddeaths three times more often than any other vehicle. 38% of road users in the capital city of Kigali areestimated to use PTWs.Head injuries make up a large percentage of the roadtrauma statistics. Although the helmets in Rwanda are used at nearly 100% compliance,they don’t go through any standard certification inspection process. This raises a critical risk to PTW riders and passengers. An independent test has shown that the helmets used fail to provide adequate protection. Fortunately, weknow that properly used, certified motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of severe head injury by 69% anddeath by 42%.7.
As a solution to this alarming road safety statistics, Healthy People Rwanda(HPR) together with Rwanda Ministry of infrastructure(MINIFRA) with the support of United Nations Road safety Fund(UNRSF) through UNECA and UNECE are implementing Tuwurinde to develop and enforce helmet standard create legislative frameworks, this also involves establishing a helmet testing laboratory and capacity building of staff at Rwanda Standards Board,promoting awareness on certified helmets importance, and carrying out a research on the existing helmets and riders/Public knowledge on helmets standards by FIA Foundation.
Aim:
‘Building Rwandan Capacity for independent helmet impact testing and standards certification’
Objectives
-
Building the capacity of the institution in charge of standards for installation of helmet testing equipment in accordance with UN Regulation No. 22 requirements and establishment of a national helmet testing centre;
-
Supporting legislation of a PTW helmet safety standard and certification protocols that will establish the foundation of local helmet manufacturing capacity and identify gaps in need of further development and resources
-
Implementing behaviour change and sensitization campaigns for PTW users to encourage appropriate helmet use, the benefits of certification to international UN regulation No. 22 and the need to replace helmets after crashes;
Expected Results
Not only will the project benefit Rwanda but also Africa.
-
Rwanda will have a legislated helmet standard that complies with UN R 22.05 standard
-
The Rwanda standards Board will have the necessary equipment to test standards of helmets existing on the market and test imported helmets through quality inspection process conducted by Rwanda inspectorate, competition and consumer protection Authority(RICA)
-
The University of Rwanda students and staff will have access and use of the equipments in capacity building and research
-
Educating PTW riders and the public about proper helmet use will encouraging responsible behaviors, which will reduce the risk of injuries
-
Tuwurinde will serve as a model to other African countries and allow helmet safety knowledge sharing across the continent.
-
Tuwurinde is expected to reduce 50% of head injuries during crashes and improve responsible ride.
In Brief, the project aligns with Rwanda ‘s commitment to enhance Public health and Road safety. By achieving the expected results, many lives will be saved by reducing injuries and deaths. This will be an important step towards, achieving Global road safety targets.