Drivers and motorcyclists have been warned violation of traffic rules. The warning comes as a result an increase of accidents in Kigali caused by reckless drivers and motorcyclists which resulted in the death of twenty three people in March.

159 others sustained serious injuries countrywide, of which fifty were pedestrians, and the rest passengers.

This was revealed Thursday by the Head of Traffic Police, Chief Superintendent Robert Niyonshuti, in an interview at his office in Kigali.

Gasabo District recorded the highest death toll with seven, followed by Kicukiro and Nyarugenge, all in Kigali City.

Niyonshuti said that hit-and-run incidents especially in remote areas.

"We want to get rid of any kind of irresponsible driving in the country which causes accidents," he noted.

Niyonshuti said that many motorcyclists and drivers do not observe traffic rules. He added that many over-speed, overtake recklessly, do not signal before turning, among others. Many drivers also drive vehicles in poor mechanical conditions.

"The systems we have adopted will potentially reduce the number of accidents due to reckless driving," he warned.

He further noted that some drivers get exhausted but instead of resting, they continue to drive thus running a risk of having accidents in the process.

"Never drive when you are tired as you could be putting yourself and passengers at risk," Niyonshuti advised the public. He also warned drivers who drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The officer called upon all road users to be more vigilant and conscious while on or near the roads.

Rwanda is largely regarded as a country with the least traffic accidents in the region mainly because of strict surveillance by police and the heavy traffic violation fines.

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