The festive season is a time when many people travel for holidays, visit family, or travel for vacation. During this period, the increased number of journeys and activities often lead to mistakes that cause fatal road accidents.

The Traffic Police Spokesperson, SP Emmanuel Kayigi, told The New Times that road accidents during the festive season are often caused by a combination of risky behaviours.

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"One major issue is distracted driving such as using mobile phones to text or make calls while driving. Others drive recklessly as they rush to work or earn extra money, especially during this busy season,” he said.

Many drivers exceed the speed limit because they are eager to earn more money for holiday festivities, he said.

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"The mindset during the festive period tends to differ from regular days, leading to risky behaviours on the road.”

Drinking and driving becomes more common during the holidays as people celebrate and enjoy themselves, Kayigi said.

"Unfortunately, some drivers forget that it is dangerous and illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol, despite the presence of police and traffic cameras monitoring roads.”

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Improvement

Kayigi said that when comparing this year to last year, there have been noticeable changes in road safety.

"Although the number of vehicles has increased, accidents involving property damage such as cars colliding without injuries, have risen. However, accidents that resulted in injuries have decreased by 2 per cent, and fatal accidents reduced by 1 per cent,” he said.

He emphasised that the improvement did not happen by chance. Authorities made significant efforts to ensure road safety through awareness campaigns, the use of technology, and initiatives aimed at preventing accidents.

Additionally, he said that drivers have begun to change their attitude and developed a better understanding of road safety rules.

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"While we are not yet where we want to be; where people follow rules out of responsibility rather than fear of being monitored, we are making progress.”

Shared responsibility

Kayigi stressed that the goal is to create a culture where road users, drivers and pedestrians, are vigilant and committed to protecting lives.

"Road safety is a shared responsibility. If we managed to reduce injury-related accidents to 51 per cent last year, why not aim for 20 per cent this year?”

To achieve this, everyone has a role to play, he said.

"Drivers must adhere to speed limits, avoid distractions, and never drive under the influence. Pedestrians must also stay vigilant and follow road safety rules. Together, we can ensure safer roads for everyone during the festive season and beyond.”

Fils Dushime, a resident of Nyarugenge District, emphasised that while drivers are often blamed for accidents, pedestrians also have a responsibility in ensuring their own safety.

"I don't think we can blame drivers only. As pedestrians, we must also be cautious. Even on regular days, when I go home late, I always make sure to cross the road properly, especially at zebra crossings. It's not safe to cross the road just anywhere; those designated crossings are there for a reason," he said.

Sandrine Tuyishimire, another resident of Kicukiro District, noted that there is also "foot traffic” during the festive season as people head to the markets for Christmas shopping and other activities. She emphasised the vulnerability of pedestrians but stressed that they also have a responsibility in ensuring road safety.

"We should always remain vigilant, especially when walking at night. It can be very risky because a driver may not see you, depending on the road conditions," she added.

To stay safe, she advised pedestrians to take extra precautions. "If you're walking on a dark road, I would recommend carrying a torch at least, to make yourself visible."

Daniel Ntirenganya, the Public Relations Officer at Kacyiru Hospital, said that during the festive season, the hospital tends to see more cases of people injured in fights than those involved in road accidents.

While road accidents are still a concern, Ntirenganya noted that extended opening hours during the festive season could contribute to more reckless driving. On December 10, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced its decision to extended operating hours for hospitality activities during the festive season, so as to encourage festive celebrations while maintaining respect for community well-being. The new temporary operating hours took immediate effect and will run until January 5, 2025.

"With longer drinking hours, some individuals might drive carelessly at night, and in their attempts to avoid the police, or hide, they often end up on bad roads, which can lead to accidents,” he added, urging the public to be cautious and prioritise their health during the festive season.

"Festivities are a time for joy but it’s important to stay vigilant, especially on the roads and during long travels,” he said.

He also called on the police to intensify security measures during this period, stressing that "as the number of people on the roads increases, the efforts to ensure safety should be reinforced.”