NTSA says road carnage reduced by 13pc in 2016

NTSA official checks the alcohol levels of a matatu driver along Narok-Bomet road. (Photo: Robert Kiplagat/Standard)

Fatalities caused by road accidents reduced by 13 per cent in 2016, the national government has revealed.

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Deputy Director for Safety Enforcement and Accident Investigations, Hared Hassan, said private and commercial vehicles led in fatal accidents with 31 and 29 per cent respectively.

He said public service vehicles (PSVs), which used to be notorious for causing road accidents, recorded an 18 per cent reduction, with boda boda riders following private and commercial vehicles at 21 per cent.

"In 2016, we realised a drastic drop in fatalities compared to 2015. For PSVs, we improved the regulations and involvement of stakeholders," Mr Hassan said.

He said they were monitoring drivers with a keen eye on those who violated speed limits and drove recklessly or under the influence of alcohol, which are major causes of accidents, in a bid to further reduce road carnage. Hassan also revealed the high-risk hours, days and roads across the country.

"Most accidents happen over the weekend; that is Friday, Saturday and Sunday when many people travel from urban areas to upcountry," he explained.

He added that most accidents happened between 5am and 9am, and evenings between 4pm and 11pm. He said NTSA had configured their patrols to cater for the risk hours.

The authority is carrying out evidence-led enforcement where those found committing traffic offences are fined instantly based on the evidence found against them such as high alcohol levels or speed violations.

Some of the roads where most accidents happen are Narok-Mai Mahiu, Kisii-Kaplong, Kisumu-Nairobi, Makutano Junction-Kericho and Kericho Sotik.