NTSA, traffic police on the right track

I want to start by wishing my readers a happy and prosperous New Year. As they travel back to work from their homes, I wish our drivers would be more careful and make sure no life is unnecessarily lost due to avoidable road accidents.

Last week, four people died when a loaded ten-wheeler lorry lost control in the middle of Isiolo town. At least 15 people were injured in the accident. Apparently, the brakes of the truck failed, mauling the pedestrians walking or standing by the roadside.

Many have raised concern about the lack of speed control on the roads around the slopes of Mount Kenya. Isiolo town is just at the foot of Mount Kenya.

Speeding, considered a human error, is causing death and loss of limb and injury on our roads. This is compounded by the unroadworthy vehicles on our roads.

Sometimes in July, my car was stopped on the highway for a traffic infraction. My driver was quickly prosecuted and punished by the traffic police and the mobile court. To be fined especially when you are a Mheshimiwa, it doesn’t matter whether or not I was behind the steering wheel, is not a pleasant experience. Imagine me, the man driven in a big Government vehicle sitting there in the baking sun, a law-breaker.

Of course I gave my driver an earful and since then, we have been law-abiding citizens. He and I agreed to put our lives first.

Though I must say that road discipline boils down to the individual, I appreciate the efforts the police are putting in to put the breaks on highway deaths. And especially, handling all of us equally.

But has anyone noticed anything? Actually, the traffic department in conjunction with the National Transport and Safety Authority have proven that putting the road carnage under control is possible. That is half the story.

As the year comes to an end, the indications are that fewer people have died from road accidents this year than the one before.

This is because of a combination of punitive fines and campaigns by such corporates as Safaricom, EABL and the media.

The days when someone would walk into a pub drink themselves silly then get behind the wheel, as if on a suicide mission, are long gone. At least we hear less of them nowadays.

Statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) released in September showed that 1,000 less people died in road accidents in 2015 compared to 2,900 people who perished in 2014.

Since the creation of the NTSA, deaths as a result of road carnage have been on steady decline. This is a big plus for the traffic department also, which has carried out aggressive campaigns.

ZEBRA CROSSINGS

The numbers tell a story: In 2013, close to 3,200 people died and many more were injured.

Pedestrians too cannot escape blame. Every day, a few of them leap recklessly onto the road. A majority of the dead pedestrians don’t use zebra crossings and overhead bridges especially in major towns.

The overall number of injured also reduced by a half from 6,500 to less than 3,000 in the same period.

Unfortunately, many motorists still do not follow the traffic rules, endangering the lives of many. The most hazardous of road users are the motorcyclists who ply our roads without the use of helmets and other necessary safety gears like reflector vests or basic training on road use.

The design and condition of the roads contribute a big deal to the death on our roads. Most roads also lack amenities like lights. A combination of darkness and potholes is very dangerous for our road users.

Many areas where pedestrians become victims of the road accidents also do not have clearly marked zebra crossings or overhead foot bridges. This puts pedestrians at great risk.

In the developed countries, the police are respected but they also portray an inspiring personality because they have the means to control the movements of the traffic and punish those who disobey the traffic rules.

In Kenya, the number of fatalities can be reduced drastically by devising ways that cannot be compromised like sending an offender a demand note for violation of traffic offences.

This however, requires a close collaboration between the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Post Office and the Traffic Department.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a well-structured address system where a traffic offence ticket can be brought to the attention of the offender.

Ours is a system that relies heavily on good luck and chance. If you are not spotted speeding, it is your luck that day.

A ticketing system that uses technology will increase revenue for the Exchequer and ultimately, reduce accidents on the road.

Not to worry a lot about that, we could use our mobile phones or force motorists to install tracking system where in case one defaults, the vehicle can be tracked and apprehended and with potential increase in the fine and loss of driver’s licence.

We could try this in 2016 and see the outcome. Once again, happy New Year dear readers.