1,072 people killed in road accidents this year, NTSA reports
The Cabinet Secretary of Roads and Transport Kimchumba Murkomen has announced stringent measures to curb road crashes.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new Board of the NTSA, the CS highlighted the urgent need to address the rampant cases of road accidents that have led to the loss of 1,072 lives between January and March this year.
The report by NTSA indicates that most of the accidents have been caused by speeding vehicles, crossing at undesignated places, distracted driving or walking, and drunk driving.
CS Murkomen emphasized the need for heightened surveillance to crack down on unroadworthy vehicles, and close collaboration with the Interior Ministry to arrest reckless drivers. The majority of those who died from road accidents were men at 83%.
According to the NTSA report, of the 1,072 people killed on our roads, 362 were pedestrians, 302 were motorcyclists, 184 were passengers, 101 were pillion passengers, 104 drivers and 19 pedal cyclists.
The Ministry says plans are underway to deploy an Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) that would see the installation of CCTV cameras in 81 junctions in Nairobi, installation of traffic and speed cameras along the highways – especially black spots, and operationalization of a transport data centre and road transport dashboard.
“Besides this, I wish to urge passengers to observe traffic rules by stopping at green lights and avoid crossing the road in non-designated and unsafe
areas,” stated the CS.
CS Murkomen and PS Daghar congratulated the new board, led by its chair Aden Noor Ali, on their appointment and expressed their readiness to work closely with them to ensure they deliver on their mandate.