X-mas accidents claim four

About six traffic accidents were registered on Christmas Eve across the country, in which four people died, according to a police report released yesterday. Two of the deaths occurred in Kigali city on Saturday afternoon where a motorcycle taxi operator and a passenger he was carrying died instantly at Utexrwa, when they failed to negotiate a corner due to over speeding. Eight people were also arrested countrywide for drunk driving on Saturday night, with six of them arrested in Kigali. Drunk driving is a crime punishable with a fine of Rwf 180, 000 and imprisoning the culprit until they are considered fit again to hit the road. Meanwhile, at Nyarugenge police station, 15 people, most of them youth, were also arrested in a Saturday night operation after they were found drunk. Despite being in a detention facility, prisoners at Nyamirambo Police Station, also in Nyarugenge decided to celebrate the birth of Christ in the cells. When The New Times visited the station yesterday morning, one of the arrested, a self-styled pastor was preaching inside the facility as his fellow inmates listened attentively. “The lord is with us, even here in prison. The Son of God was born on this day to save us…repent your sins you will be forgiven,” the self-styled pastor told his fellow prisoners amidst cheers and prayers. “Each of us here knows why he was arrested, whether you are innocent or guilty. But the lord will forgive, no matter what kind of crime you committed. Repent…repent…repent,” he added as prisoners shouted ‘hallelujah…amen.’ Police Spokesperson, Theos Badege, said that despite registering a number of incidents, the security situation across the country was generally good compared to previous years. “This was due to a number of initiatives established like campaigns and deploying more officers on roads,” Badege said. “We increased capacity in operations, acquiring more equipment and conducted awareness campaigns among the pedestrians and drivers and in schools,” he added. By the end of November, over 4,000 traffic accidents had been registered countrywide, resulting into 355 deaths. Badege observed that most traffic accidents are caused by recklessness, over speeding and drunk driving. He also warned bar owners against selling alcohol to the under aged. The law prohibits bar owners from selling alcohol to persons under the age of 21. bosco.asiimwe@newtimes.co.rw

National

X-mas accidents claim four