The Acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahonzire, yesterday launched the national road safety week. Kigali City had her roads repainted with fresh zebra crossings.

In a road safety campaign that is sponsored by MTN Rwanda, Gahonzire, urged all road users, drivers and pedestrians alike to be cautious on the roads, observing all traffic rules.

This serves as a moment of reflection for Rwandans as they prepare for the usually hectic season, of Christmas and New Year celebrations. It is time to celebrate the end of the year with family and friends.

Many will not resist the temptation to over indulge especially in alcoholic beverages in their excitement to have ended the year alive. Therein lies the problem.

Tragedy strikes for many out of sheer recklessness of too much excitement in just two weeks to the New Year and they do not get to see it.

Sadly, reckless drivers are not a danger to their own lives, but to other innocent citizens going about their normal business. It is in this regard that we champion heavy penalties, for all reckless drivers, drunk or sober.

Responsible driving has to be encouraged at all costs. Fresh on our minds is the tragic accident, days ago, in the upcountry town of Gicumbi in the Northern Province, claiming the lives of 12 Kigali Independent University students.

Not only to the great grief of their families, the young talents were Rwanda’s future, perhaps, her doctors, engineers, whatever the case, they died in an accident that could have been avoided. And so our message as we join the road safety campaign is let us all arrive in 2009 safely.

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