How new traffic rules shaped Kigali nightlife and provided unlikely employment to others

While some may have at first thought that Traffic Police Personnel subjecting drivers to breathalyzer tests was a bit of a nuisance, the results of doing so speak for themselves, with accidents resulting from intoxication reduced significantly in the short period the tests have been in effect.

Nightlife in Kigali City can involve a lot of drinking, and even though even in Bars posters warning people not to drink and drive are commonly visible, it does not stop some from doing it nevertheless, putting their own lives and the lives of others at risk.

One very effective deterrent, however, is the breathalyzer test now in effect on roads for the past 7 months, with alcohol blood levels below 0.8% acceptable, but anything higher meaning you should not be driving.

The tests are now accepted as very effective and drivers who like to drink no longer risk getting caught by the Traffic Police and opt to hire drivers to take them home, or just catch a cab.

Jado Matata, a resident of Kigali City old RBA; "Whenever I want to go out and have some fun, I leave my car at home because there are companies I can use to get back home again: YegoCabs, Move and others. The truth is, driving when drunk is really not good."

Matata’s comments were echoed by one identified as Hirwa, another Kigali resident.

"Every time I leave the bar, I leave it there because there is ample security for it, and I tell the guard that I will pick it up in the morning, that I am going to hail a cab or a Taxi Motorcycle," Hirwa said.

Individual Drivers like Jean Bosco  Uwihanganye have also seized the opportunity to come together to form an Association of people who drive others home when they have had a little too much to drink, charging Rwf 5,000 or more depending on the distance, they have to travel.

"Sometimes a person just ones to go out and have fun with their family and I step in to help my clients because that is what they are to me. When they are pleased with my services, they even refer me to others. I am a professional driver," Uwihanganye said.

"I benefit a lot from this, because before I was jobless and now I make a lot of money, plenty. We work on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. By Monday morning I have usually made Rwf70,000 and set it aside," added Philip Niyomwungeri, another private car driver.

When the alcohol tests for drivers were first introduced, bar owners were in mourning, but like everyone else, learned to adapt and find ways to profit from that as well.

"At first it was difficult for people to understand it and our customer numbers fell significantly. Afterward we decided to go out and look for drivers to help our clients get home and the customer figures shot up again," Olivier Nemeye, a Kigali bar owner told RBA.

"At first numbers did fall, but now things are changing. We have many drivers and we assure our clients that they are enough for them," Jules Kalisa, another bar proprietor in Kigali said.

Mark Nsengiyumva, another bar owner said; "Any clients who consume drinks worth Rwf40,000 or more get designated drivers to get them home, regardless of how big their group of drinking friends is. We provide that extra service at no charge at all. They pay no money for it."

Police Spokesperson CP JB Kabera says 80 per cent of all accidents are avoidable and so is driving while drunk.

"I believe one of the objectives of the campaign and sensitization efforts was changing people's mindsets. As I just told you, 80% of all accidents are avoidable; and people's mindsets, their irresponsible actions, all play a role in it. People may be careless behind the wheel, not properly care for their own safety, or even be drunk at the same time. Over speeding is also a factor," Kabera said.

2019 saw 4,661 road accidents occur; compared to 5,611 in 2018; a reduction of 17%.

223 Pedestrians were killed in those accidents, 184 Taxi Motorcyclists and 130 Cyclists; a total of 537 people died.

However, fatal accidents were slashed by 42%, thanks to measures taken by Traffic Authorities starting in May last year.

Serge Ntore reports...