Take firm action to curb rising fatal road crashes

Three crashes on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway in which more than 40 people have perished in a period of just a month underscore the grave danger to passengers and motorists. There have also been fatal and serious-injury accidents on the roads in other parts of the country, indicating a worrying resurgence.

This is intensifying concerns about safety on one of the country’s busiest transport corridors, as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) calls for road crashes to be declared a national disaster. It cites nearly 20,000 crashes and more than 5,000 deaths annually.

The latest tragedy occurred last Sunday, when 23 people died after a bus and truck collided head-on near Mtito Andei in Makueni County. The crash came barely three weeks after 17 people were killed in a multiple-vehicle collision near Salama.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has announced measures to curb road accidents. They include stricter traffic enforcement, improved management of accident black spots and more funding to improve road safety infrastructure.

The NTSA says it needs to strengthen enforcement and coordinate efforts among roads agencies, police, health services, and county governments. Dangerous overtaking, speeding, and drink driving fuel the crisis. This is likely to get worse as the festive season travel rush sets in.

Traffic police and NTSA officials must intensify random checks and speed monitoring. Transport companies should implement mandatory rest periods for long-haul drivers and use tracking systems to monitor speed. Passengers should be educated to demand safe driving practices.

More than 4,000 people have been killed in road accidents since the beginning of the year, exceeding the national average of 3,000 deaths. The death toll is likely to rise as the festive season travel picks up. According to the NTSA, 5,009 people were killed on the roads last year. The alarming rise in fatal accidents highlights a critical road safety crisis. This calls for action by the traffic authorities, transport operators, motorists, motorcyclists, and passengers to curb this troubling menace.

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