Rwanda National Police (RNP), on Monday, December 4, showed to the media 29 people, who were arrested in separate operations against impaired driving conducted between December 31 and January 3, on various roads of Kigali.

They include drivers and motorcyclists, who were driving or riding under the influence of alcohol.

Bizumuremyi Pierre Celestin, one of the drivers paraded, admitted that he had taken alcohol before driving and advised other drivers to respect traffic regulations.
 
“I was arrested on Friday, at about 9:30 pm, I was driving from work going back home before the curfew starts, but I had taken alcohol,” said  Bizumuremyi.

To Vianney Magorane, who tested 0.91 millilitres of blood alcohol content, he said that he had taken a bottle of beer before he was arrested driving at about 9pm.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rene Irere, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety (TRS) Department, said that Police has heightened operations targeting drunk driving.

“Driving under influence of alcohol is among the major causes of accidents which cannot be tolerated. Drivers and motorcyclists were sensitized many times to avoid driving when they drink. Consequently, Police scaled-up operations against those who keep deaf ear,” said SSP Irere.

SSP Irere called upon motorists to put their lives first to avoid driving when they drink.