Police have urged the general public, especially motorists, to drink responsibly during New Year’s celebrations.

"People shouldn’t drink and drive, avoid speeding and reckless driving,” Police spokesperson Celestin Twahirwa said yesterday.

Twahirwa appealed to the general population to utilise Police communication facilities such as toll-free lines 110 (marine), 111 (fire and rescue), 112 (emergency), 113 (traffic accident), 3512 (gender-based violence) and 116 for child helpline in case of emergency.

The security situation in the festive holidays has been relatively calm, which Rwanda National Police (RNP) attributed to the public for partnering with security organs through community policing, enjoying responsibly and organising shows in accordance with the law.

Twahirwa, while commending the way events such as musical shows and religious celebrations were organised, said that "this kind of partnership and respect of other people’s rights and beliefs should even define the New Year 2016.”

"Generally, people enjoyed their festivities with respect and minded their security, accidents were very few, there were no issues of sound pollution like before and we thank Rwandans for being major players in maintaining and ensuring this level of security,” he said.

"Rwanda National Police wishes everyone a New Year of safety and security.”

However, he urged road users, especially motorists, to respect traffic rules and refrain from driving while under the influence of alcohol, which is one of the causes of accidents in most cases on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and on the anniversaries days.

Five road accidents occurred on Christmas killing three people, but ACP Twahirwa said that the target is to have no accidents.

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