Less people died in accidents in December, NTSA says

Members of the public mill around the scene of accident after a fuel tanker rammed into a matatu on the Malaba-Eldoret highway in Bungoma last year. [File, Standard]

At least 335 people were killed in accidents in December last year, according to National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

This is less by 21 compared to 356 who died over the same period in 2017.

The drop in the number of deaths reported on roads was attributed to reintroduction of Michuki rules and enforcement of other road safety measures.

Those seriously injured in December 2018 alone, however, rose to 448 as compared to 339 over the same period in 2017.

At least 311 people sustained slight injuries last month compared to 287 of 2017.

In total, 3,146 had lost their lives in road accidents by December 30, 2018 compared to 2,875 who died by the same date in 2017.

The survey shows pedestrians still lead the pack with 1,201 having been killed.

Some 1,055 pedestrians died in 2017. At least 305 drivers died in accidents last year compared to 312 in 2017 while 745 passengers died in 2018 as compared to 736 of 2017.

Meanwhile, 587 motorcyclists died in 2018 compared to 496 killed over the same period in 2017. At least 62 pedal cyclists were killed in road accidents in 2018 compared to 57 of 2017.

Some 246 pillion passengers were killed last year in accidents as compared to 219 that died in 2017, the statistics show.

To address the menace, the Government is rolling out specific campaigns targeting pedestrians, drivers and motor cyclists and boda boda riders.

Among these strategies is the reintroduction of the famous Michuki rules last month.  

The Government has also introduced daytime alcohol testing which has seen hundreds of drivers nabbed for driving while drunk.

Over 200 drivers caught driving while drunk now risk having their licenses revoked. Already, about ten motorists have had their driving licenses cancelled.

Officials are also targeting boda boda operators. Police boss Joseph Boinnet has told the riders to ensure they wear protective gear.

Motorists must also ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.

Boinnet said police officers will be deployed to man all public roads to enforce traffic laws and other regulations are implemented.

The issue of the boda boda operators comes at a time when a task force established to spearhead reforms in the sub-sector is set to table its findings on May 1.

Cabinet secretaries Fred Matiang’i of Interior and Transport’s James Macharia met National Assembly’s Parliamentary Caucus on transport before extending the term of the task force looking into how road safety can be improved by two months.

This is meant to allow for extensive consultations with stakeholders. It will also provide the team time to organise a national convention on the issues before the recommendations take effect.

The stakeholders had requested for more time to engage the task force in order to provide meaningful solutions to challenges such as the issuance of the motorcycle licenses and insurance.

The 12-member task force on policy, legal and administrative reforms will, among other duties, examine existing policies as well as institutional, legislative and administrative systems governing motorcycle transport.