Enforce road safety rules to stem rise in accidents

 

The wreckage of the Coast Bus involved in a tragic accident after it collided with a private car in the Migaa area along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on August 20, 2024. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Survivors of the jinxed Coast Bus that killed 13 people at Migaa, along the Nakuru -Eldoret Highway in the wee hours of Tuesday, tell a tale of negligence by both driver and bus company. 

The survivors say the start of the journey was not only delayed, they could discern the bus was not mechanically sound as it struggled all the way to Kericho where the driver enlisted the services of a mechanic instead of requesting for a replacement bus to complete the long journey to Mombasa.

Moments later after the driver could not slow down over road bumps, he admitted to the panicked travellers that the brakes had failed.

It was then that the bus rammed into a saloon car ahead of it and landed in a ditch, killing 13 and injuring 55 others.

It is quite probable the management knew the bus was faulty, but the pursuit of profit shut out reason, which ultimately put the lives of travellers in danger.

It is not in doubt that most public service vehicles are poorly maintained. Long-distance travel buses make what industry players call 'return trips' weeks on end without breaks for repairs. 

This type of negligence necessitates the vigorous reinforcement of road regulations that were put in place to prevent needless loss of lives through avoidable accidents.

Mobile mechanical police check units should be reactivated to carry out sporadic checks on long-distance PSVs, especially. The National Transport and Safety Authority should equally live up to its calling.

It is possible most PSVs do not have speed governors installed and most do not have serviceable seatbelts, which increases the risks of deaths in the case of accidents. 

Above all, bus companies must be held accountable for the mechanical states of their buses. Those found culpable of negligence where accidents occur should have their license permanently withdrawn to stop uncaring owners from gambling with the lives of innocent travellers.

Life is sacrosanct and no effort should be spared in ensuring road safety in Kenya is a priority for everybody.