Festive season: Police vow to crackdown on drunk driving

More police officers, and mobile cameras will be deployed on roads across the city to arrest drivers for drunk driving and over-speeding. This was said by ACP Gerard Mpayimana, the Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, in a press conference about dos and don'ts during the festive seasons for the general security and well-being of the people that was held on Thursday. He said that the measures were taken considering that road traffic fatality rates have increased from four per cent in Rwanda in the past years to five per cent per 100,000 each year. Worldwide, he quoted the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.3 million people are killed by road traffic crashes every year. “Traffic police are ready to help Rwandans end the year of 2022 with minimum road accidents. We will deploy more police officers, mobile cameras, patrols, and cars on the roads and arrest those with over-speeding as well as alcotests to detect drunk driving. We will also test those who consume drugs,” he warned. Mpayimana said that last year at least 621 people were killed by road fatalities. “So far about 700 fatal accidents have been recorded this year of which 158 were caused by motorcycles while 189 were caused by bicycles. At least 240 fatal accidents were caused by pedestrians,” he said. However, he said that the number of seriously injured people decreased from 471 to 111. “We are still carrying out an assessment about this decrease but we think that the installed cameras have played a big role in reducing the over-speeding. Currently, most of them are caused by recklessness such as driving while on the phone call, chatting on phone, and watching videos among others,” he explained. About 2,000 people have been killed by road accidents since 2020, according to figures from the Rwanda National Police (RNP). Warning against giving alcohol to children City of Kigali officials and police representatives warned people, bar owners, and night clubs against giving alcohol to children. Bars and night club owners have been tasked to request people going to their premises to show their National Identity cards so as to prevent children from consuming alcohol. Churches, home parties, businesses, and concerts have also been warned against noise pollution. Pudence Rubingisa, the Mayor of City of Kigali reiterated that students coming for holidays should be protected from drug abuse, violence, teen pregnancies among forms of violence. ACP Desire Gumira, the RPC central region added: Security is highly needed especially during festive season. Citizens can enjoy but avoid any behavior violating security. People should make joint efforts in combating theft and robbery. Gatherings in homes, night clubs, churches are obliged to prevent noise pollution. Bar owners have to play a role in preventing alcoholism among children.” He urged residents to share information on time so as to prevent crimes and warned against assault and battery as people enjoy the festive season. Gumira urged parents to be responsible for caring about their children. “ They should not leave children at home alone or leave their homes alone during the festive season as some people target theft and robbery, ” he noted.

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Festive season: Police vow to crackdown on drunk driving