Accidents caused by private vehicles on the rise – NTSA

The number pedestrians killed by private vehicles has been on the increase, standing at 32 families of the total fatalities recorded.

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), accidents caused by heavy commercial vehicles rank second while those caused by Public Service Vehicles (PSV) are ranked third.

Speaking during the launch of free public service vehicle checkups at Gilgil in Nakuru County, NTSA Deputy Director Harred Hassan said there was an upsurge in accidents caused by trucks ferrying goods to different parts of the country.

Hassan, who is in charge of enforcement said: “Of the 2,387 deaths reported this year, 24 per cent were caused by trucks with pedestrians being the most victims.”

Timboroa in Rift Valley region, along Nakuru- Eldoret highway, leads in fatalities followed by Nyanza which is tops in the number of deaths.

The authority has however introduced measures that will see special designated areas created for pedestrians.

“In Nairobi 73 per cent of the road accident related deaths affect pedestrians.”

The deputy director said foot bridges would be placed at strategic locations to help pedestrians cross the road at ease.

“We have formed a multi-agency programme where all pedestrians in Nairobi will be assisted at all locations as one way of reducing fatalities,” he said.

Hassan however praised the introduction of speed cameras in major highways saying the gadgets had helped reduce the number of accidents.

“We can see the gadgets have improved safety on our roads especially along the Nairobi- Nakuru highway where we used to record one fatality every day.”

On his part, NTSA Director in charge of motor vehicle inspection Engineer Gerald Wangai said that after the exercise all vehicles found to have interfered with the speed gadgets will have their licenses revoked.

“We have come here with 27 speed governor suppliers who will check on all the vehicles so that action is taken on the faulty ones.”

Naivasha traffic base Commander Philomena Wambua on the other hand identified education as the key to enhancing road safety among drivers.

“We meet on monthly basis with drivers and boda boda operators and we educate them on the importance of keeping it safe while on the roads including major highways.”

The 100 day exercise will also target heavy commercial vehicles that are unroadworthy to curb the rise in accidents.

A major concern is also noted by the Director General of NTSA Francis Meja, who said that about 1,899 people have lost their lives in road accidents between January and August this year, with 60 per cent of the deaths being those of pedestrians and boda boda riders.

By Karanja Kimani / Written By Jemimah Gathoni