NTSA impounds unroadworthy vehicles in crackdown
An enforcement team at Machakos junction on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway netted 25 errant vehicles. Among those caught up in the crackdown were children going back to school from midterm break, but authorities insisted it was necessary for their own safety.
Today’s crackdown follows yesterday’s statement from Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen directing the safety authority to bring errant drivers to book.
“I have directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in collaboration with the National Police Service, to intensify enforcement and bring errant road users to book,” Mr Murkomen said.
The CS said that most accidents result from unsafe road user behaviour such as overloading, unsafe crossing, speeding and drink driving.
“Road safety begins with each and every one of us. Travellers should do their part by always wearing seatbelts and reporting PSV drivers who appear to be driving under the influence.”
Matatu drivers and boda boda operators should also safeguard the lives of the passengers they carry by sticking to maximum passenger capacity and speed limits.
Latest data show 649 people have lost their lives in road accidents in Kenya in the last two months, according to statistics from the NTSA.
A closer look at the traffic data from January 1 to February 20 shows that the number of deaths has increased compared to the same period in 2023.
As of February 20, pedestrians lead in fatalities at 252, compared with 190 recorded last year.
The majority of the fatalities were pedestrians, followed by motorcyclists, passengers, drivers, pillion passengers and pedal cyclists.
Motorcyclists recorded 152 deaths marking a slight decrease compared to 177 in 2023.
“In 2024, at least 125 passengers have lost their lives in road crashes compared to 114 in 2023 with 43 drivers losing their lives in road accidents which is a decrease compared to 59 in the same period last year,” NTSA said.
Pillion passengers recorded 61 deaths compared to 71 witnessed last year with only 10 pedal cyclists losing their lives this year from an accident within the period under review compared to 12 recorded in 2023.
In its draft National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2027, the NTSA says a number of national and county government agencies are currently underfunded to deliver safety-related services.
These include the NTSA, the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha), the police and county health authorities.
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