DR Congo’s National Assembly adopts reform of 50-year-old Highway Code

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s National Assembly adopted a bill on November 2 to modernize the country’s roughly 50-year-old Highway Code. Introduced by Tobie Kayumbi, a national deputy elected in Mbuji-Mayi, the bill has been sent to the Senate for a second reading. It sets rules for different road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and drivers of tricycles and four-wheeled vehicles, and requires motorcyclists and tricycle drivers to signal with their arms when lights fail. Measures also include rain barriers, limits on driving and rest times, stricter vehicle inspections, improved road-safety training and higher fines denominated in Congolese francs.